Just got my will notarized

[Beyond_Repair]

Not sure if this is helpful for anyone, but I was stressing a bit over what the cost would be for making a will and having it notarized (I'm in the US) After doing some research, I went with a free online will maker where you just answer questions and it fills out a pre-made simple will for you, which you can print out. Then you just need to get it notarized and 2 witness signatures (this might be different depending on your state)

For obvious reasons I couldn't have people I know sign as witnesses, and after looking it up I found out you can go to UPS and have them notarize/witness your documents for you. It cost me $10 total.

My paranoid/socially anxious ass was worried I'd get weird looks/questions from UPS staff b/c of my age, but they were super nice and didn't ask any questions, the whole process took about 5 minutes.

Idk if anyone else was wondering about how they were going to afford making a will (I thought I would need to find a lawyer or something), but it was super simple and cheap. Again this might vary depending on your state/country but just wanted to share my experience in case it's helpful for anyone

Edit: also wanted to add that mine was a simple will, I don't have kids or a spouse, and don't own a home or any real estate, so if you have a more complicated situation it may cost more to make your will, or you may want help from a professional to make sure it's as legitimate as possible.

 

[Raven2]

Glad it was nice and simple for you. I have been thinking about doing my own will recently but just havent got round to it.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

The one benefit of having nothing material to your name. Don't have to worry about estate-planning.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

What state are you in if you don't mind answering? I'm in California so I'm not sure what the other legal aspects of a will are here.

 

[Beyond_Repair]

What state are you in if you don't mind answering? I'm in California so I'm not sure what the other legal aspects of a will are here.

I'm not super comfortable sharing my exact state (sorry I'm paranoid lol), although I will say I'm located in the Midwest. I looked it up and found this site that explains what legally constitutes as a will in California

It seems you still need two unrelated witness signatures, and having it notarized isn't 100% necessary, but recommended for increased legitimacy. I'm assuming if there's any kind of legal dispute having it notarized will help

Glad it was nice and simple for you. I have been thinking about doing my own will recently but just havent got round to it.

Yeah I'm still not 100% sure when I will CTB, but trying to get everything sorted so when the time comes, I'm ready and have less to worry about

The one benefit of having nothing material to your name. Don't have to worry about estate-planning.

Agreed

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I'm not super comfortable sharing my exact state (sorry I'm paranoid lol), although I will say I'm located in the Midwest. I looked it up and found this site that explains what legally constitutes as a will in California

It seems you still need two unrelated witness signatures, and having it notarized isn't 100% necessary, but recommended for increased legitimacy. I'm assuming if there's any kind of legal dispute having it notarized will help

Thank you! It does say that notarizing a will isn't required in California but it also says further down that it is required for online wills so I guess I might as well also try UPS to also get the two witnesses because I don't trust any of my friends or family to not freak out if I ask them to sign a will.

 

[ArteriesBindEveryon]

Not sure if this is helpful for anyone, but I was stressing a bit over what the cost would be for making a will and having it notarized (I'm in the US) After doing some research, I went with a free online will maker where you just answer questions and it fills out a pre-made simple will for you, which you can print out. Then you just need to get it notarized and 2 witness signatures (this might be different depending on your state)

For obvious reasons I couldn't have people I know sign as witnesses, and after looking it up I found out you can go to UPS and have them notarize/witness your documents for you. It cost me $10 total.

My paranoid/socially anxious ass was worried I'd get weird looks/questions from UPS staff b/c of my age, but they were super nice and didn't ask any questions, the whole process took about 5 minutes.

Idk if anyone else was wondering about how they were going to afford making a will (I thought I would need to find a lawyer or something), but it was super simple and cheap. Again this might vary depending on your state/country but just wanted to share my experience in case it's helpful for anyone

Edit: also wanted to add that mine was a simple will, I don't have kids or a spouse, and don't own a home or any real estate, so if you have a more complicated situation it may cost more to make your will, or you may want help from a professional to make sure it's as legitimate as possible.

Saving this for the future, thank you.

 

[Meteora]

And what did you put on record, if you don't mind answering?
I want to write down my will, too. I have no clue if you can also write things about your funeral etc.

 

[Beyond_Repair]

And what did you put on record, if you don't mind answering?
I want to write down my will, too. I have no clue if you can also write things about your funeral etc.

I wasn't sure about funeral arrangements at first because I had read on mehdone's 'ask a mortician' thread that there is a separate document needed for funeral arrangements that you would get from the funeral home itself. However, on the site I used one of the questions asked about my desired funeral arrangements, so I went ahead and listed them on there (Since I'll be out of state in a motel, and would prefer to just be cremated wherever's closest to avoid transporation costs, making prepaid funeral arrangements doesn't really make sense for me).

Even if it technically isn't legally binding for whatever reason, I trust that my executor will follow my wishes (simple cremation, no ceremony or viewing, to be paid for by my funds which will go to my executor upon my death). Aside from my funeral arrangements, I basically just named my executor, and listed who I wanted my savings and car to go to. You can be as specific as you want about who you want your belongings to go to

 

[Meteora]

Thank you @Beyond_Repair
I don t want my so-called "family" to have any influence on decisions aftet my death. Don t know if i can write it in the will.

 

[Beyond_Repair]

Thank you @Beyond_Repair
I don t want my so-called "family" to have any influence on decisions aftet my death. Don t know if i can write it in the will.

No problem, but to be clear I'm not a lawyer or anything, just sharing my personal experience and what I've found/read. The only reason I'm not super worried about whether or not the funeral arrangements part is legally binding is that I trust my executor will carry out my wishes regardless

If you're worried that your family might try to contest something or won't want to carry out your wishes, it may be a good idea to do more extensive research or look into prepaid funeral plans if that's an option for you

 

[Meteora]

he only reason I'm not super worried about whether or not the funeral arrangements part is legally binding is that I trust my executor will carry out my wishes regardless

That s great. And where did you find this executor again?

 

[mehdone]

I'm glad that you are taking the time to put your affairs in order. I know that can be incredibly difficult when one barely has the energy to get out of bed, but it makes it so much easier on the survivors.

Another important document to do (which can also be done via a free online service and then notarized via ups or signed by two witnesses) is a "Living Will". This documents your end of life wishes in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself- ie: in a coma after a failed attempt. Another option for this is a different document called "Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare"- however, with this option, you are giving someone else the power to make the choice to pull the plug, so it is essential it is someone you trust.

Personally, I have all three- a Will, a Living Will, and a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare- the power of attorney is in case I'm in a situation that I didn't spell out in my living will, and the person who has that power knows my wishes and I trust them implicitly.

For those that cannot afford $10, if you have a bank account- most banks offer free notary services to account holders, and as the OP said, it does not raise any red flags to simply get your affairs in order so long as one doesn't make any comments regarding such. Hell, as far as they know you were just diagnosed with a terminal illness- or you are simply being a responsible adult and doing what *everyone* should do to make their inevitable death easier on their loved ones.

Thank you @Beyond_Repair
I don t want my so-called "family" to have any influence on decisions aftet my death. Don t know if i can write it in the will.

If this is your desire- then you must go into a funeral home and pre-arrange and pre-pay for your cremation/funeral arrangements. It is the only way to make sure they will be followed to the letter- otherwise immediate next-of-kin can deviate from your wishes.

 

[Beyond_Repair]

That s great. And where did you find this executor again?

Your executor is just the person you name in your will that is responsible for making sure the wishes in your will are carried out. Usually, a trusted family member or friend. From what I've read, if you don't list one, one will be appointed by the court

 

[Meteora]

And who did you pick?

 

[Beyond_Repair]

I'm glad that you are taking the time to put your affairs in order. I know that can be incredibly difficult when one barely has the energy to get out of bed, but it makes it so much easier on the survivors.

Another important document to do (which can also be done via a free online service and then notarized via ups or signed by two witnesses) is a "Living Will". This documents your end of life wishes in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself- ie: in a coma after a failed attempt. Another option for this is a different document called "Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare"- however, with this option, you are giving someone else the power to make the choice to pull the plug, so it is essential it is someone you trust.

Personally, I have all three- a Will, a Living Will, and a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare- the power of attorney is in case I'm in a situation that I didn't spell out in my living will, and the person who has that power knows my wishes and I trust them implicitly.

For those that cannot afford $10, if you have a bank account- most banks offer free notary services to account holders, and as the OP said, it does not raise any red flags to simply get your affairs in order so long as one doesn't make any comments regarding such. Hell, as far as they know you were just diagnosed with a terminal illness- or you are simply being a responsible adult and doing what *everyone* should do to make their inevitable death easier on their loved ones.

That's great to know, thank you for sharing the information!

And who did you pick?

I chose my dad

 

[ham and potatoes]

was stressing a bit over what the cost would be for making a will and having it notarized

Yeah guys, check your state laws. In my state for instance, you have 2 options for it to be recognized as an official will
-you can type it out, and sign it, and have 2 witnesses (who are not beneficiaries) sign it
-you can hand write your will (holographic will) and sign it. No witness signature needed.
No where in our state code does it say anything about it being notorized.
In my case, both of these options don't cost you a penny
I also wrote out a "final wishes" which isn't legally binding, that talks about what I want done with my body and so on.

What state are you in if you don't mind answering? I'm in California so I'm not sure what the other legal aspects of a will are here.

I just googled it and found this. Sounds like you have several options
https://www.freewill.com/learn/california-last-will-and-testament