If all real estate, vehicles, 401k and bank accounts have ‘transfer on death’ beneficiaries, do we need anything else for financial assets? Thanks!
Can I use a form and just have it notarized?
Can I use a form and just have it notarized?
and they should get it on their 18th birthday. Then review and update as needed annually.everybody should have a will.
While I strongly encourage getting a will, it's possible it won't be needed. For my dad's estate everything was TOD, POD (including the house). There was never any need to go through probate. Household items were just split between my brother and me. We've got a similar set up with our own assets, but have a will - just in case.
It depends on your State. Some States require that a will be witnessed as well. (Another reason to spend a few $$ and have an atty do it.)Can I use a form and just have it notarized?
No recommendation, but what we did.
Used free online program to make our wills and POA's. It's an involved process, and we learned a lot along the way. One of our sons is a lawyer, although in risk management, so he gave it to a friend, an elder law attorney, to review. He checked it and found no problems, so for today, we're leaving it alone and saving the fees.
If and when we have major changes, we'll go back and turn it over for changes.
Unfortunately we're not wealthy enough to get down into the weeds, and don't believe we need a trust. Our kids all have copies, and one of them by mutual agreement is the executor.
Even if you use an attorney prepared will, the hour or so spent in going over the instructions will help in understanding the process.
A simple outline of the "legal" basic requirements, here:
https://info.legalzoom.com/make-lawyer-4213.html
Yes, but that depends on the state and the estate. I was lucky, my dad's state did not allow TOD/POD for real estate or vehicles, but he had no real estate and the state had a household exemption that did not exceed the value of his only car, or his checking account. I appreciated that, and I hope to keep my estate simple, although we do have revocable living trusts because right now we also cannot TOD/POD RE or vehicles, and we have both.
Also, if you or your brother had any irreconcilable dispute over the items, I'm guessing either of you could have forced all non TOD/POD parts of the estate to be liquidated in probate (all household items) and then the proceeds split. Sure, it was better for both of you this way, but unfortunately family disputes can transcend logic and practicality.
Totally agree with the Legalzoom recommendation.
Tailored to reflect individual State Laws, quickly done online. About $100.00 for a simple Will. They send you hard copies and you have them Notarized.
Updates, if needed, are cheap also.
B. Man
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