WHAT IS A LAST WILL & TESTAMENT?
A “Last Will & Testament” is a legal document that allows an individual (the testator) to appoint one or more persons (the executor(s)) to manage his or her estate and distribute his or her assets to other designated individuals. Each Will is prepared by an attorney (and not a paralegal or secretary). We charge $750 to prepare a Will or $1,000 to prepare reciprocal wills for a married couple.
WHAT INFORMATION DOES A WILL CONTAIN?
A Will contains the following information:
- A list of all of your assets;
- Names of family, friends and/or charities that will receive your assets;
- Guardianship information for minor children;
- Guardianship information for pets;
- Selection of an Executor (person that will manage your affairs after death);
- Burial or cremation instructions;
HOW MUCH DOES A WILL COST?
We charge $750 for a Will or $1,000 for reciprocal wills for married couples.
WHAT IS THE WILL PACKAGE?
A Will Package includes the following documents and costs $1,250 for an individual and $1,500 for a married couple.
LAST WILL VS LIVING WILL
A Last Will allows you to express your desires regarding assets, dependents and pets. A Living Will is a an Advance Directive or a DNR and allows you to express your desires regarding medical care and end of life treatment decisions.
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO DRAFT A LAST WILL?
Legally, you do not need an attorney to draft a last will. However, in order for a Last Will to be legally valid, it has to follow the exact specifications of the law. Failure to follow the exact statutory requirements will result in the Last Will not being accepted by the Surrogate’s Court. If that happens, it’s as if a Last Will never existed.
Is the small amount of money you may save worth the risk of not having a valid Last Will?
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