Will Writing Tips

Ms Acevedo has years of experience with will and estate planning and has helped many clients work their way through a way. Covering all legal bases. Let's take a look at some tips for writing a flawless will. For professional assistance, please reach out to our law office today. Call 631-878-3280 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Many in Suffolk County and on Long Island have turned to Ms Acevedo for her trusted legal counsel and guidance when it comes to writing a will.

Select Your Beneficiaries

A common error many people make when writing their will is failing to name beneficiaries on key accounts that work with the plans outlined in the wills. As well as failing to update the beneficiaries should they change. When it comes to the beneficiary, that person supersedes the will. But if there is no consistency, that is where problems arise.

Choose the Executor

The executor of a will is responsible for carrying out the wishes that the will expresses. In most cases, this person is a trusted family member. But can be someone outside the family. But the person needs to be responsible and detail oriented. In some cases, if no one else is a good choice, then selecting an attorney is a viable option. However, do not select a corporate trustee, as they often charge some sort of fee.

Select Guardians For Your Kids

If you have children, then it is important to select guardians and name them in the will. It is not required that you ask beforehand, however it is wise to have a conversation with the person. And it is common practice to name multiple guardians in case one of those named in the will cannot accept the responsibility.

Attach a Letter

It is common to attach a letter to a will to help explain the contents of the will and go into some important details. It can also act as a goodbye.

Be Specific About Who Gets What

Determining who gets who is a time-consuming aspect of creating a will. You need to consider who gets what types of assets. There are a lot of ways to handle this, but it is important that the will writing is specific. Otherwise, when the time comes, it may be confusing. Which is not ideal under likely stressful circumstances.

Be Realistic About Who Gets What

You need to think practically about how to distribute the assets. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a unclear or boilerplate language in a will to break apart a family after a death. This is true for any tangible assets that need to go to someone. So choosing who gets what needs to be realistic. Like an instrument to someone who plays instead of someone who doesn't. By detailing who gets the tangible elements, you will avoid any anger or confusion about the doling out.

Properly Sign the Will

If someone incorrectly signs a will then it may be deemed invalid. Witnesses must sign the will and, in most instances, cannot be someone who gains inheritance from the will. And these signers must be at least 18 years old. Ideally, you want these people to be around when you are not. So if something goes wrong and you are not around or available, then they can step up and appear for you.

Find a Place for Your Will

Make sure someone you trust knows exactly where to find the will, as well as any other important papers. It is also smart to store the original copy of the will somewhere safe and secure, like in a fireproof safe. This way if disaster strikes the original document lives.

In some cases, you can store the will electronically. An electronic will is only valid if they meet certain requirements. Some of the requirements for the e-will include being in text form, not audio or video, and meeting the state rules about whether witnesses are physically present or remote.

Periodically Review & Update the Will

It is good practice to periodically review and update your will. In general, updating it at least every five years is a wise decision. Another good rule to follow is to check and update the will every time you go through a major life event, the birth of a new child or grandchild, a divorce, or the death of a spouse. This way you can review the will and see if this change in your life impacts the contents of the will.

Legal Will Writing Counsel on Long Island

At the Law Office of Elsie Acevedo, she offers legal assistance with will and estate planning. Due to this, Ms Acevedo can offer legal counsel on will writing for those across Long Island, New York. She has accumulated years of experience working as a will and estate planning lawyer on Long Island. She can help you write a thorough and legal will. There are a lot of parts that make up a will, so having legal counsel that you can trust goes a long way.

So please, do not hesitate to reach out today to learn more about legal will writing and how Ms Acevedo can help your current situation. Other aspects regarding wills and estates includes probate and administrative proceedings. We offer expert counsel for many legal matters pertaining to wills and estates for clients across Long Island, New York.