Archive for June, 2009
If you’ve gone through the hassle and time of drafting your will, you are certainly going to want to take as many steps as possible to ensure that the will itself is safe. That’s why it’s a good idea to always house your will in a locked security box, either in your home or at the bank. If you’ve used a lawyer to help you draft the document, you can also request that they keep the original or a copy.
If you have any issues with keeping the content of the will confidential, you can always keep the copies in a sealed envelope. But if you want to avoid any potential confusion or problems after you’re gone, all you need to do is register your will. This will eliminate many of the worries and concerns surrounding the proper execution of one’s will.
While many people think that wills absolutely have to be drafted with the help of a lawyer and that they have to be printed on some special letterhead, that’s simply not the case. In fact, one will in England simply read, “All to mother,” and the court gave the final decision that this was sufficient. Still, there are certain things to consider when drafting your will.
Make sure it’s in writing. Whether it’s handwritten or typed, a verbal will is much more difficult to honor than when it’s put in writing. If it is handwritten, use the same pen throughout, so it’s clear it’s definitely not the product of fraud. Make sure to sign every page of the will with at least two witnesses. These witnesses will also have to sign the will for it to be valid. Printing your name below or above your signature is also a good idea. Whether you have a formal or informal will, consider logging it in a will registry database. In this way, your wishes are even more certain to be carried out to the letter.