Wills Lawyer Teaneck, NJ
A will is a legal document that designates how someone’s estate will be distributed after their death. This person must be at least eighteen years old to establish a will. Such a document specifies in detail how property will be divided, to whom it will be given to, and who would be in charge of this process. As our Teaneck, NJ wills lawyer explains, if an individual passes away without a will, then an administrator of the estate will be appointed based on New Jersey state law. Generally, a will is probated in the county and state where the decedent was a legal resident at the time of their death. It is essential that a will is drafted in a legally-binding manner and kept in a safe place that is still accessible in case of emergency or the death of the will creator. If you want support today with your will or other estate planning needs, reach out to Kaplan Law Practice, LLC today!
Requirements Of A Will
In the state of New Jersey, those of adult age can write and execute a will. It is important to know that the person creating the will must be legally competent when doing so. This means that they must know what a will is for and the intention of executing one, in addition to what property they own, the location, and who their beneficiaries are. Competence can become an issue if the person who established the will has dementia or a cognitive disability. Family members often contest a will when they believe their loved one was not competent when writing and signing the document.
Self-Proving Wills
You do not have to notarize a will in order to make it legal, but there are benefits of having a notary do so. When they sign and stamp your will, this makes it deemed “self-proving”. The surrogate will not have to make any more actions to prove the will is authentic. In some cases, they must find witnesses to prove authenticity. The probate process is quicker when the will is notarized. When our knowledgeable wills attorney helps you prepare your last will and testament, we can also arrange for a notary to meet with you and any witnesses if needed. If you have any questions about this, then contact our team as soon as you are ready!
Kaplan Law Practice, LLC
Establishing a legally-binding will is imperative to protecting your legacy and ensuring your wishes are carried out how you prefer after your passing or in the event of incapacitation. At Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, we understand that your priority is your family and making sure they receive the inheritance you want them to have after you are gone. We can use various estate planning strategies and different types of documentation to set your wishes down on paper. In this way, you can have peace of mind that what you want to happen to your belongings will be distributed to whom and in the way that you want. If you have inquiries or concerns about anything estate planning, let us help. Our NJ wills attorney is ready to assist you!