Legal Will Kit: Wills Made Easy
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Create Your Will in Minutes
If you die without making a valid last will and testament, you will have died intestate. You will then have no control over who your property is distributed to or even who takes care of your children following your death. Both of these matters will be determined by state laws which are often decades old. There is also the added risk that your estate could be substantially depleted due to the high levels of legal and professional fees associated with dying intestate.
Making a last will and testament is the only way to ensure that you have control over these matters and that you can properly provide for the needs of your family.
This self-help kit provides you with step-by-step instructions, detailed information and all the legal forms necessary to make a will and to ensure that your property passes to your loved ones after your death.
- Make cash and specific property gifts to your loved ones
- Appoint guardians to care for your minor children
- Appoint executors to wind up your estate
- Create trusts for minor beneficiaries
- Make funeral arrangements
State Specific Last Wills for Everyone,
This legal will kit contains all the state specific information and last will forms I needed to make my own personalized last will. It came with downloadable last will & testament forms specific to my circumstances as well as a list of additional wills clauses I could include to personalize my will. All I needed to do to make a will was follow the easy step-by-step instructions in the kit and print my last will and testament….it couldn’t have been easier. It even came with state specific self-proving affidavits. I recommend this legal will kit to everyone!
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|Complete and unbiased information,
“Wills made easy” lives up to its name. It is easy to read, it has rich content and is quite extensive. I am including a complete table of content at the end of this review so you can see exactly how extensive it is and what is covered.
I think this kit is useful whether you plan to go to a lawyer or do it yourself. Even if you go to the lawyer this book is helpful because, for example, it will help you determine what type of will you need. A few years ago my company had a benefits fair where they invited some legal firm to talk to us, and I recall that company tried convince everyone that they needed to set up a trust. I had a suspicion that they were just trying to sell an expensive option to everyone not just to the people who really needed it. If I had this book it would have given me an unbiased explanation who needs a trust and who does not.
This book includes not only explanations but worksheets and forms. It also has line by line instructions on how to fill out the official forms.
Overall, I found this to be a very helpful book. Not only was it helpful with the forms, but it helped me organize my thoughts and served as a reminder of the things to think about.
Ali Julia review
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO WILLS
Introduction
What Is a Will?
Types of Wills
Simple Wills
Testamentary Trust Wills
Pour-Over Wills
Self-Proving Wills
Holographic Wills
Oral Wills (also called nuncupative wills)
Joint Wills
Mirror Wills
Living Wills
Why Make a Will?
Intestacy & What Happens Without a Will?
Share of Surviving Spouse
Share of Descendents
Share of Parents
Share of Other Relatives
Partial Intestacy
Appointment of Guardians by the Court
Appointment of Administrator by the Court
Can I Make My Own Will?
How to Make a Valid Will
Age of Majority
Mental Capacity and Undue Influence
Wills Made in Other States
GIFTS AND BENEFICIARIES
Gifts to Spouses
Community Property States
Common Law States
Disinheritance
Disinheriting a Spouse
Types of Gifts
Specific Item Gifts
Cash Gifts
Gift of the Residuary Estate
What Assets Can I Gift Under My Will?
Joint Bank Accounts
life Insurance Policies
Pensions
Jointly Owned Property
Property in a Revocable Living Trust
Types of Beneficiaries
Specific Gift Beneficiary
Alternate Beneficiary
Residuary Beneficiary
Who May Not Be a Beneficiary?
Gifts to Charities
Imposing Conditions on the Receipt of Gifts
Releasing Someone from a Debt
Failed Gifts
Matters Affecting the Distribution of Your Assets
Simultaneous Death
Abatement of Assets
Disclaimed Inheritances
What if You Own Property Outside The United States?
CHILDREN, GUARDIANS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
What Is a Guardian?
Sole and Joint Guardians
Alternate Guardians
Who Can Be a Guardian?
What to Consider When Choosing a Guardian for Your Children
Management of Children’s Property
Appointment of a Property Guardian
Uniform Transfer to Minors’ Act
Individual Child Trusts
Children’s Pot Trusts
Whom Should You Choose as a Trustee?
EXECUTORS
Executors
Alternate Executors
Overview of Executors’ Duties
Who Should Be Your Executor?
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO TAX
Introduction
Estate Taxes
Estate Tax Update
Federal Estate and Gift Tax
Everyone’s “Coupon”
What Is the “Coupon” Amount?
How to Determine the Estate Tax?
State Taxes
State Death Taxes
State Inheritance Taxes
State “Pick-Up” Taxes
Marital Deduction
Non-Citizen Spouses
Other Ways to Reduce Estate Taxes
Lifetime Gifts
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
Family Limited Partnerships
Conclusion
GETTING READY TO MAKE YOUR OWN WILL!
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Deciding on Your Beneficiaries
Deciding on Who to Appoint as Your Executors
Deciding on Who to Appoint as Guardians of Your
Minor Children
Deciding What Type of Will You Need
Choosing People to Witness You Signing Your Will
Singing Your Will
AFTER YOU HAVE MADE YOUR WILL
Where to Store Your Will
Keeping Your Will Updated
Using a Codicil to Update or Change Your Will
Revoking Your Will
APPENDIX 1 – GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS
APPENDIX 2 – WILL WRITING WORKSHEET
APPENDIX 3 – SAMPLE WILLS.
APPENDIX 4 – GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING YOUR WILL
APPENDIX 5 – SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING YOUR WILL
APPENDIX 6 – SELF PROVING AFFIDAVIT – TYPE 1
APPENDIX 7 – SELF PROVING AFFIDAVIT – TYPE 2
APPENDIX 8 – SELF PROVING AFFIDAVIT – TEXAS
APPENDIX 9 – ADDITIONAL CLAUSES YOU MAY WISH TO ADD
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|This book is an excellent reference tool for those who want to prepare their own will or simply explore the possibility …,
Many elderly people I’ve dealt with feel there is no need for them to have a will because their assets are minimal. Perhaps, but most of them own vehicles and at least have bank accounts that aren’t under the mattress. If one dies and shares a vehicle with a spouse or partner, that doesn’t automatically mean that ownership will be transferred. The same holds true for checking and savings accounts. For example, if a vehicle is registered in the deceased’s name, the spouse may need to head to probate in an attempt to gain ownership. If you die intestate (without a will) you are potentially handing your loved ones a bomb in disguise, or at least a big headache.
No, it is not necessary to retain the services of a lawyer, but it is a wise idea to research the probate laws of your state. If you die intestate each state has a formula for distribution of your assets, however minimal they may be. If you have a complicated estate with substantial assets, a legal will kit would not be in your best interest. Those who have blended families also might want to reconsider using a legal will kit. Only you know your personal circumstances and obviously need to take many details into consideration. Obviously a little common sense goes a long way.
ABBREVIATED CONTENTS:
* Introduction to Wills
* Types of Wills
* Intestacy & What Happens Without a Will
* Making Your Own Will
* How to Make a Valid Will
* The Age of Majority
* Mental Capacity and Undue Influence
* Wills Made in Other States
* Gifts and Beneficiaries
* Children, Guardians and Property Management
* Executors
* A Brief Introduction to Tax
* Getting Ready to Make Your Own Will
* After You Have Made Your Will
Each of these sections has several subtopics that are aimed toward the average person. There is some “legal” jargon, but examples are easy to understand and the sections are not bogged down with excessive materials. The forms, if you decide to use them, are in the appendices.
APPENCICES:
* Appendix 1 – Glossary of Legal Terms
* Appendix 2 – Will Writing Worksheet
* Appendix 3 – Sample Wills
* Appendix 4 – General Instructions for Completing Your Will
* Appendix 5 – Specific Instructions for Completing Your Will
* Appendix 6 – Self Proving Affidavit – Type 1
* Appendix 7 – Self Proving Affidavit – Type 2
* Appendix 8 – Self Proving Affidavit – Texas
* Appendix 9 – Additional Clauses You May Wish to Add
This book, which is quite informative, may encourage you to head to a lawyer, but I do feel that people should at least explore the topic beforehand. If you do and you decide you need to retain a lawyer, you will know more about what grounds you will be covering, what you should be covering, and will be aware of the basic legal language surrounding a will. There are numerous informative sidebars scattered throughout the book that give vignettes on important things to note, resources, and even cautionary notes. In the appendices there are numerous forms which can be downloaded from the publisher’s website (an “unlock code” is included) or can simply be copied. Obviously you’ll need to consider your own circumstances, but the material is comprehensive, well-presented, and will provide you with enough reference materials and documents to create a simple will.
This book courtesy of the publisher.
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