Legally drafted my will last night

[IsolatedChaos]

I don't know why but I just feel like saying it. I can't really tell anyone irl without making them concerned. Is it weird that I'm kind of... Proud? I'm just happy with myself that I know how to draft a legally sound document to begin with.

I don't have an attempt in sight. I'm.... Trying, to heal. Was doing better, but recently have been relapsing. I kind of felt like maybe doing it would vent it out a bit? Entertain the idea.
Also, I always thought it was a good idea to have a will just in case something ever happens. Hope you're all doing well tonight

 

[Raven2]

Well done. This is something I need to sort out but I've just never got round to it, I've only got a small estate but want it to go to the right family members. Need to also name my beneficiaries for my workplace death in service benefit, printed off the forms last year and I've still not done it... I'm the greatest at procrastination

 

[IsolatedChaos]

Well done. This is something I need to sort out but I've just never got round to it, I've only got a small estate but want it to go to the right family members. Need to also name my beneficiaries for my workplace death in service benefit, printed off the forms last year and I've still not done it... I'm the greatest at procrastination

Oh, I absolutely get it, I've been daydreaming about it for years!

It's nice to hear a "well done", I can't really get that support irl right now

 

[diagon24]

I also need to do a will. Its on my list of to dos

 

[BeanCurd]

I drafted one, but was told I needed 2 people to witness me signing it for it to be legal. I don't know if that's true. I don't know who I could get to do it, as I read it's best to have people you know... I don't know that many people who aren't beneficiaries in my desired will, but I also don't want them to ask any questions haha. Have you encountered this issue?

 

[RoadtoFreedomTwo]

I don't know why but I just feel like saying it. I can't really tell anyone irl without making them concerned. Is it weird that I'm kind of... Proud? I'm just happy with myself that I know how to draft a legally sound document to begin with.

I don't have an attempt in sight. I'm.... Trying, to heal. Was doing better, but recently have been relapsing. I kind of felt like maybe doing it would vent it out a bit? Entertain the idea.
Also, I always thought it was a good idea to have a will just in case something ever happens. Hope you're all doing well tonight

Do you want to share with others how you did it? Usually you have to get signatures from witnesses or have it notized.

So was it legally bindng, or did you just fill out a form? it might be followed, might not from my understanding (U.S.A btw)

I drafted one, but was told I needed 2 people to witness me signing it for it to be legal. I don't know if that's true. I don't know who I could get to do it, as I read it's best to have people you know... I don't know that many people who aren't beneficiaries in my desired will, but I also don't want them to ask any questions haha. Have you encountered this issue?

I created mine without signatures or getting notarized and left it in my cloud accounts, hopefully that's enough.

 

[whywere]

FANTASTIC!

I am older and have seen so many that do not and then the government gets their nose in it and oh boy everything goes haywire then.

Also, I am turning 70 which precludes me from ANY more jury service ever. Just filled out the forms, no more bugging me.

Next year, off to world adventures.

Walter

 

[INYGTRMTFMO]

I've been thinking of drafting one, but I also only have the one child, who is who I would want everything to go to anyway.

ETA: And precious fee assets to pass down, at that. Hopefully that'd change if I live to die by old age, but shit in this economy, all we can hope is that those Pokemon cards appreciate significantly in value.

 

[IsolatedChaos]

I drafted one, but was told I needed 2 people to witness me signing it for it to be legal. I don't know if that's true. I don't know who I could get to do it, as I read it's best to have people you know... I don't know that many people who aren't beneficiaries in my desired will, but I also don't want them to ask any questions haha. Have you encountered this issue?

Do you want to share with others how you did it? Usually you have to get signatures from witnesses or have it notized.

So was it legally bindng, or did you just fill out a form? it might be followed, might not from my understanding (U.S.A btw)

I created mine without signatures or getting notarized and left it in my cloud accounts, hopefully that's enough.

Ok so of course it depends on how the legislation works wherever you're from, but for my country (I rather not say, I'll just say I'm not from the U.S) there is a separate set of rules specifically for handwritten wills- so long as you write it down on paper using a pen and your own handwriting (it still needs to be drafted the way a proper legal document would be written, and be kept orderly) it should be good. In that case you don't need witnesses, and if you know what you're doing you can make it perfectly legally sound. So I did. This also means you need to keep a very close eye on it though. Any picture or scan of it won't count, as at is no longer a handwritten will, and then the legislation over it would disqualify it.

That being said!!! I'm not giving legal advice, I'm just sharing what it's like specifically where I'm from. This might not be relevant in other places.

I'd suggest looking up if your country has any specific treatment for hand-written wills! Maybe you'll find something that can help you work around it

 

[BeanCurd]

Ok so of course it depends on how the legislation works wherever you're from, but for my country (I rather not say, I'll just say I'm not from the U.S) there is a separate set of rules specifically for handwritten wills- so long as you write it down on paper using a pen and your own handwriting (it still needs to be drafted the way a proper legal document would be written, and be kept orderly) it should be good. In that case you don't need witnesses, and if you know what you're doing you can make it perfectly legally sound. So I did. This also means you need to keep a very close eye on it though. Any picture or scan of it won't count, as at is no longer a handwritten will, and then the legislation over it would disqualify it.

That being said!!! I'm not giving legal advice, I'm just sharing what it's like specifically where I'm from. This might not be relevant in other places.

I'd suggest looking up if your country has any specific treatment for hand-written wills! Maybe you'll find something that can help you work around it

That's interesting, thank you for sharing! I'll look up the laws in my country :) I'd like a legit will, regardless of suicidality.

 

[Kali_Yuga13]

Have you encountered this issue?

I'm at this stage. I did mine from one of the online legal services sites and am at the sign and notarize part. I called my bank and they will notarize anything BUT wills. They recommended a UPS store or my local library. I've had no prob with getting the clerk at the UPS store sign as a witness while notarizing before but I'm stumped on who would be the other witness on this.

If my library does do notary there's usually enough staff loitering around that it probabally wouldn't be a big deal to rope a person into signing.

Having had two family members die without a will I can honesty say it's a shit way to leave survivors as the probate process can take nearly a year (in my US state) and in my case that's without any kind of disputes or conflicts of interests, just pure bureaucracy.

Anyway there's lots of dedicated notary services, even mobile notaries that will come to you. If you call around I'm sure someone will have a solution.

 

[Seneca65AD]

About 1/2 the US states and 3/4's of Canadian provinces allow holographic wills (entirely in your own handwriting). I even recall reading a case where a farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada, was trapped under a flipped over tractor and scribbled his will on a fender. The courts allowed that to be an accurate reflection of his testamentary wishes. Holographic wills may be an option for those without ready access to a Notary or Lawyer/Attorney. I don't practice in Wills and Estates so be sure to check the law in your jurisdiction.

 

[BeanCurd]

I'm at this stage. I did mine from one of the online legal services sites and am at the sign and notarize part. I called my bank and they will notarize anything BUT wills. They recommended a UPS store or my local library. I've had no prob with getting the clerk at the UPS store sign as a witness while notarizing before but I'm stumped on who would be the other witness on this.

If my library does do notary there's usually enough staff loitering around that it probabally wouldn't be a big deal to rope a person into signing.

Having had two family members die without a will I can honesty say it's a shit way to leave survivors as the probate process can take nearly a year (in my US state) and in my case that's without any kind of disputes or conflicts of interests, just pure bureaucracy.

Anyway there's lots of dedicated notary services, even mobile notaries that will come to you. If you call around I'm sure someone will have a solution.

This is helpful, thank you! I read something about how they should be someone who could be contacted if needed while the will was being executed, i.e. possibly not Bob from the local library. But I'm not sure if that's true, or whether it maybe only applies if someone challenges the legitimacy of the will? Which I don't think would be an issue for mine, but you never know. And maybe using the dedicated notary services would solve that issue. Thanks again.

 

[Kali_Yuga13]

i.e. possibly not Bob from the local library.

okay well I checked my local library website and they do have notary services but they very explicitly state that they will not act as witnesses nor is it acceptable to solicit library patrons to sign so I guess Bob is out the window haha. I guess it makes sense since they're a government agency.

From reddit legal advice the prevailing opinion is to use an actual lawyer over the online ones as they're more proficient with state laws and all the nuances. The lawyer themselves often act as one of the witnesses and I guess one of their office staff can too maybe? Not sure.

This too complicated for my liking and I can see why many people don't bother with a will, especially if they don't hold many assets. I'm already this far so I will continue to figure it out and update you if you want.

For the people in the thread wondering about a handwritten will, I believe the legal definition for this is a "holographic will" and they are legit if done in accordance with the laws in ones state/country.