One of the major benefits to having a legally binding will is that it allows individuals to make sure their wishes are carried out in the event of their deaths. If a person dies without having one other people will make the important and necessary decisions in handling the estate and other assets. The laws in each state differ so it may be important to find an attorney who knows all the requirements in writing wills in Columbus Ohio.
Most often a person?s assets are considered to be either tangible or intangible. Tangible assets include physical property such as homes, vehicles and furniture. Intangible assets are things such as bank accounts, mutual funds and other stock investments. If someone dies without a will their estate goes to probate court. A judge will then decide how the deceased person?s assets will be distributed. To avoid having a will handled by a probate court it is best to find an attorney who handles wills in Columbus Ohio to have one written out. An attorney will know what language to include in the document to make it legal so it cannot be challenged or declared invalid. The will also need to be signed by the individual writing it and by at least two witnesses.
No matter what state a person lives in there are many parts of the document that are standards for a will. In general the document should contain the person?s full name and the date. There should be a statement saying the document is a will and that all previous versions of it are revoked. The rest of the document prepared by an attorney who writes wills in Columbus OH contains how the person?s assets will be handled. It can include specific bequests, such as which family members or friends will inherit the person?s home, land or other property. There may be special requirements mandated by the person?s marital status. For example if a person dies and they are married the surviving spouse has several legal rights whether the deceased had a will or not. The surviving spouse is entitled to a family allowance. The surviving spouse is also allowed an interest in the deceased?s real property and is allowed to remain in their home for at least one year. Whether an individual is married, single or divorced it may be best to consult with an attorney.
