Before you decide to DIY your own affordable will, following things should be kept in mind even before starting with the legal process:
- Decide the assets and other property that you want to include in your Will.
- Decide the person who will inherit your assets and property.
- Find an executor to administer your property.
- Decide the guardian for the children and children's property.
Can I write my own will?
Yes, it is possible to create your free online last will and testament.
A last Will and testament are formulated with at least two competent witnesses at the time of signing. Also,ensure that Will document is safe with a known attorney or more than one family member or with relatives. This ensures that the document is safe from being tampered. The Testator of the will have the option of having the Will acknowledged by a state-authorized notary. The acknowledgement will further protect the legality of the Will. The Testator also has the option to change or revoke the will anytime.
Howto make a will in California?
If you want to make your Will or final testament, then several options, including free statutory wills (simple fill-in-the-blank document)authorized by California law are available. This statutory document is an instant living will option for you. It is free and an easy choice for those who have simple property affairs.
DIY Will in California for Free
Here are some simple steps needed to create a free statutory will in California.
1. Check Eligibility for DIY Will
- One must be 18 years or above in age
- You should be of sound mind. Here sound mind means that the person understands the meaning of a will, understand the property you own, remember the relatives, and don't have a mental health disorder that can cause delusions or hallucinations.
- You should be a resident of California.
2.Once you have checked the eligibility criteria, now check whether the California statutory Will form meets your needs as the form is not suitable in all conditions. This statutory form is designed for simple estate planning purposes. For situations such as estate taxes, business ownership,trust provisions for children, or wanting to disinherit a spouse or children,you should consider other options for Will. This is because the statutory Will form was designed for simple estate-related purposes and not for complex estate planning scenarios.
3. Get the Statutory do it yourself Will forms offered at no cost on the State Bar Association website.
4. Fill the form
The applicant must fill the form without any deletion or additions it may invalidate the document. First, read the Will statutory form carefully and fill your answers in the blanks. After filling the form, sign the box present next to each question in the form.
5. Legalize the form by signing
In order to legalize the free California, sign and enter the date the last page on the form. Along with this, add the city name where the signing happened. Besides, two adults (age 18 years or above) witnesses must also attest under penalty of perjury. The attesting means that the witnesses saw you sign the document, trust you could do so, and that all of you signed in the presence of one another.
Steps to fill the free Online Will form
- Enter the testator’s name at the top and continue by entering the name, city of residence, county of residence of the Testator.
- Also, read the Expenses and-taxation part of the DIY will form.Identify your Executor by entering his personal details, city, country, and residential state. If you want an alternate executor, fill in the exact details for him too.
- Add beneficiary's full legal name, current address, elation to Testator.
- Also,add the last 4 digits of the beneficiary's Social Security Number. Now, add the estate details bequeathed to the intended person. Carefully check the omission,bond, discretionary powers of the personal representative, contesting beneficiary, gender, assignment, governing law, and binding arrangement before applying signatures.
- All signatories should sign the documents in each other’s presence. Signing is done by entering the Testator's name, date, signature and print the Testator's name.
- All Witnesses should read the statement and their name, signature, and address.
- All the parties to the Will must review and enter the Testator's name and witnesses along with everyone's signatures.
- Notarization includes the completion of the remaining section by a notary. However, it is an optional step as California permits your Will to be self-proved without the need of a self-proving affidavit.
Features of a free do it yourself Will
- Along with identifying who inherits your property and other assets when you die, statutory Will form can be used to designate a guardian in case of premature death and leave one or more minor children behind.
- You can identify a person to manage funds on your behalf for your child till they-become 25.
- Also,you can identify an executor to handle your property.
- The statutory Will form provides the option to identify alternatives for the custodian, guardian, and executor to act if the first-named person cannot perform the duty.
Are online Wills Legal?
Yes, this free online Will is covered under statue 6100 and offered by the official government. Thus, it is a completely legal and reliable option.
Wrapping Up:
If you want to ensure that all your assets are covered,then a statutory DIY last Will and testament is the best solution for you. According to Probate Code Section 88, a Will comprises of any such directive that appoints an executor to administer Testator’s assets. The directive instrument can also be used to revoke or make changes in a previously made will. It is covered under statutes 6100 to 6806 of California State Law. In today’s article, we will discuss the conditions and the process required to create free online will.Some common questions that come to people's bind are, "how to make a will in California?"and "Can I write my own will?"Well, we will provide easy answers to all these doubts.
