Can My Spouse and I Write Our Own Wills? (And Other Common Questions)
– Helpful Suggestions from an Experienced Bossier City Estate Attorney
It’s a scene straight out of the movies – a rich man dies under mysterious circumstances and leaves his entire estate to his very young and beautiful second wife. You know what happens next. Strife occurs as the man’s children contest his will. They question the distribution of assets, especially since his wife is the same age as his daughter. Eventually, all is revealed, the plot to take over the family business, the lies, the cheating, and in the end, the truth prevails. Not everyone can anticipate this same scenario in their life, but that doesn’t mean you should be lax and not have a valid will in place before you die.
Ensure you have your estate adequately prepared for your passing when you seek out the services of a Bossier City, Louisiana estate attorney like David. L. White. David and his team can establish if you have any forced heirs, explain how community property works when you die, and guide you through the Bayou state’s probate laws. Don’t leave anything to chance when writing out your will.
3 Common Questions about Wills
Writing a will can sometimes occur under strange circumstances. Our imaginations can go wild. For example, we imagine the scraps of a barroom napkin with the scrawl of an inebriated rich guy leaving his vast fortune to the bartender. The reality is this: certain conditions can hamper your final wishes.
Here are three common questions when it comes to writing your will:
- Can I handwrite my will? It is possible to write out your will, but keep in mind that it has to be written, dated, and signed by you. No one else can write it for you. It is critical that you understand that there are many estate laws in place that may render your handwritten, also called a holographic will, void. An estate attorney is your best help in these matters.
- Should my spouse and I have separate wills? In short, yes. By keeping things separate, it helps when addressing the subject of any former spouses and children from previous relationships. Remember, you and your spouse probably will not die at the same time, and you may have separate property that will need to be addressed.
- What if I die without a will? What happens next? The court will step in to decide who gets what and how your estate should be divided. You may have wanted your vacation house to go to your son, but the court has the final say if you don’t have a valid will.
Plan Your Will Now – Talk to the Experienced Estate Attorney, David L. White
Don’t leave the future of your estate to the whims of the court system or the threat of a divided family after your death. Take the necessary steps to have your will prepared by an experienced estate attorney. David L. White can help you alleviate the long drawn out battle that can ensue if you don’t have a will in place. We help you ensure your family gets the inheritance you intended. Give us a call today!
Contact your estate attorney in Bossier City to find out more about wills and succession in Louisiana. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
