Ocala, FL Last Will & Testament
An individual’s last will and testament, often shortened to “will,” is a document that states how he or she wants his or her property to be distributed to beneficiaries after his or her death. In this document, the individual states who he or she wants to act as the executor of the will. The executor is the individual who works with the signer’s attorney to ensure that each beneficiary named in the will receives what he or she is entitled to receive.
Consult An Ocala, FL Attorney to Create a Will
It is important that every adult with assets creates a will. Having a will in place protects your assets by stating exactly who you want to receive them and how. When there is no will present after an individual dies, the court may determine how his or her estate is handled. This is known as “dying intestate,” and when this happens, the intestacy laws of the individual’s home state determine how his or her assets are handled.
Contact our firm to work on your will with Samantha Shealy Rauba. Ms. Rauba is an experienced estate planning attorney who can help you determine the best way to divide your estate among your loved ones and create a document that protects their rights to your assets.
What To Include in Your Will
The following includes a list of assets you may wish to mention within your will:
- Cash accounts, such as certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and checking accounts
- Antiques and art
- Ownership of your pets
- Savings
- Personal electronics, such as your computer
- Jewelry
- Business interests
- Business property
- Royalties
- Securities, such as bonds, stocks, and commodities
- Real estate properties
- Retirement accounts
- Vehicles
Every estate is unique. That is why it is important to work out the details of your will with an experienced estate planning attorney. You have the right to leave everything to one individual, such as your spouse, or to designate multiple beneficiaries. We can help you determine a fair way to allocate your assets after you are gone.
Legal Criteria for Your Last Will and Testament
Your will is only valid if the following can be proven:
- You were of sound mind when you signed the document.
- You created the will solely of your free will. This means that you were not under pressure from anybody to designate certain gifts or beneficiaries while you were creating the will.
- You signed and dated the document in the presence of at least two witnesses who are not related to you or named as beneficiaries in the will.
Create Your Last Will and Testament
For legal guidance with your will, contact McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli today. Creating a will is an important process for anybody over the age of 18 who has assets. No estate is too small to be protected by a will. Contact our firm today to learn more about the estate planning process and what you need to do to protect your assets.