
Most wills contain specific bequests and residuary clauses. Estate planning lawyers have the knowledge and expertise that allows them to use precise language to ensure that the probate court can determine your intentions regarding your property’s distribution. While it is possible to create your own will, it is best to work with an estate planning lawyer. Many legal challenges related to wills are due to unclear language in a will that lends itself to multiple interpretations. It is important that the language in the will clearly identifies who is entitled to which property. As such, the will must precisely identify which property you would like which person or people to receive.
#Does a will need to be notarized to be legal how to
The main purpose of a last will and testament is to tell the probate court how to distribute your assets and property after you pass away. The witnesses also need to sign a legal affidavit that acknowledges the testator’s mental capacity when he or she signed the will. The witnesses must be present at the same time you, as the testator, sign the will. Under California probate law, at least two witnesses must sign your will. It is possible for someone with a diminished mental capacity to sign a legally valid will, but the testator cannot be unable to reason and understand. When a person is not of sound mind, an interested party has the right to challenge the will during the probate process. Being of sound mind means that the testator has the legal capacity to reason, think, or understand the will. The testator must be of “sound mind” and at least 18 years old when signing the will. In California, the testator must sign and date a written will. A lawyer will help you make a new will that is legally enforceable instead of putting your will at risk in a possible challenge. However, if you need to change your will, the best thing you can do is consult with a Sacramento estate planning lawyer. What happens when the changes to the will are written by hand, or when someone has crossed out a section of the will before or after it is signed? It is possible that the court will enforce the changes if the testator signed the changes along with witnesses. When the changes are not done correctly, a probate court will declare the will to be invalid. Disputes can arise when it is suspected that the testator or someone else changed the written will. The testator, or person making the will, does not need to write or type the will himself or herself. A will must be in writing to be considered legally valid.

In California, oral wills that are not in writing are invalid. Some of the requirements of a valid will in California include the following: Unfortunately, when a will does not meet the requirements outlined in California law, a probate court may declare it invalid. There are multiple requirements for creating a legal last will and testament in California. Not all wills are legally enforceable, however. Creating a will in California is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your property is distributed to your family and loved ones according to your preferences.
