12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow  Easy Questions  
12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow Instant Legal Documents
 
 
FINANCIAL & MARITAL

Cohabitation Agreement coming soon!
Separation Agreement coming soon!
No-Fault Divorce coming soon!
Bankruptcy coming soon!
 
 

Composing Your Last Will and Testament in Milford, IN

Composing Your Last Will and Testament in Milford, IN


I wish peace and affluence to all my friends and a piece of effluence to all my enemies.
 
- Anonymous


A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that outlines how you want your properties or estate distributed, once you pass away. Since this is such an critical document for you and your heirs, it is important that you understand its various components.

Know your state's requirements. Each state has different requirements as to the legality of a Last Will and Testament. The standardization of these conditions was drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Estate Laws in matters pertaining to estates. This act is called The Uniform Probate Code (UPC). This was adopted by 17 states and in part, by other states as well. Their differences are:

  • Whether witnesses need to or need not be present when you sign your will
  • Whether notarization is required or not; this varies depending on the state where you live. Many banks offer free notarization, so you can easily get your will notarized
  • Whether handwritten wills are valid or invalid, depending on your state of residence. Of course, with the convenience of 12Law.com, you can have a fully drawn out will that conforms to the requirements of your state
  • Upon knowing the state requirements, make sure that you thoroughly understand and fulfill those required components. Laws can be amended every year, so go through the process at 12Law.com every few years to make sure your will is current and up-to-date.


    Key Components of a Last Will and Testament

    Your name, social security number, and address.This will help avoid confusion as to the identifying the real person who wrote the will.

  • Include your date of birth as further proof of your identity
  • If you have no social security number, some other form of positive ID number should be included
  • Declaration of sound mental health, contractual capacity, and your expressed last wishes. This is a very important step in order to make your will legally viable. The following are usually essential components of your will:

  • I declare that this is my last will and testament, and that I hereby revoke, annul, and cancel all wills and codicils previously made by me, either jointly or severally
  • I declare that I am of legal age to make this will, and that I am sound of mind
  • This last will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress


  • Include family details. If leaving a part of your estate to members your family, their names and relationships should be indicated in your will:

  • I am married to [spouse's first and last name], hereafter referred to as my spouse
  • I have the following children: [list children's first and last names as well as their dates of birth]
  • Appoint an Executor. The executor or personal representative is the appointed person who will oversee the instructions as indicated in your will after you are gone. States have their own rules as to who can serve as an executor. Generally, anyone who is at least 18 years old and living within the state can be appointed as an executor. As the maker of the will, you should care enough to know if the person you will appoint as an executor is trustworthy, thrifty, prudent and resourceful. A backup executor can also be appointed in case the first one cannot live up to his responsibilities. The following lines can be are examples to cover executors:

  • I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint [executor's first and last name] as Executor.
  • If this Executor is unable or unwilling to serve, then I appoint [backup executor's first and last name] as alternate Executor.
  • Empower the executor. State the executor's responsibilities and at the same time his authority over your estate, funeral expenses, and other items. You can also indicate whether the appointed executor can post bond or serve without bond. Clauses empowering the Executor can be stated in your will to do the following:

  • Sell any real estate in which you may own an interest at the time of your death and to pledge it, lease it, mortgage it or otherwise deal with your real estate as you yourself would do.
  • Pay all of your just debts, funeral expenses, taxes, and estate administration expenses. This allows your heirs to take their shares without later deductions or complications.


  • Bequeath your assets. Use percentages in stating the way in which your assets will be divided among your beneficiaries.

  • Include provisions that clearly explain who gets a beneficiary's gift if that person dies before you.
  • Use conditional language if you want a deceased beneficiary's gift to just go back into the pot and be divided among your living beneficiaries in shares proportionate to what you provided for them.
  • Make special requests. The lines "I direct on my death my remains shall.."stipulate how your remains should be handled, the place of burial and how the cost will be handled.

    Sign the will. Affix your signature at the end of the will including your name, date, and location. If your state requires witnesses, make sure you have their presence and their signature on your documents declaring that you sign in their presence and that you are of legal age and sound mind when you signed your will.

  • Always be aware of the state law governing the will and testament in your place of residence. Its validity will be affected if state laws are not followed.
  • Put your initials on each page of your will.
  • Method 3: What to do after you write your Will

  • Store the will in a safe place. Only tell the executor where you keep your will. This will be filed in court only after your death. Or you can give your executor a second copy or second original copy.
  • Do not add anything on your will once it is written and signed. In case of changes in the future, a separate document or "condicil" can be use that can explicitly refer to the original will.
  •  
    Personalize & Print a Free IN Last Will Create This Document
    Page 1
    Page 2
    Page 3
    Page 4
    Page 5
    Page 6
    Page 7
    Page 8
    Page 9
    Page 10
    Related Legal Services near Milford, IN
    Koprcina Frank J & Associates PC
    150 E 3rd St
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 985-9999
    Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorney
    Heather A. McCarthy
    214 Main St
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 940-9963
    Attorneys, Bankruptcy Law Attorneys
    Anthony DeBonis Jr & Associates LLC
    214 Main St
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 940-9963
    Attorneys
    Reames, John M PC
    1638 W Smith Valley Rd
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 882-9839
    Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
    Marshall Kevin W.
    192 Bracken Pkwy
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 942-9700
    Attorneys, Insurance Attorneys, Business Law Attorneys
    Money R Lee
    310 W Main St
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 865-9607
    Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
    Beard John
    9980 S Rangeline Rd
    Clinton, IN 47842
    (765) 665-9349
    Attorneys
    Smart & Kessler
    1648 Fry Rd
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 885-9100
    Attorneys, Probate Law Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys
    Lowe Brian K
    1648 Fry Rd Ste A
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 885-9100
    General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
    Kessler Douglas W Atty
    1648 Fry Rd Ste A
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 885-9100
    General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
    Ball Frederick J
    8081 Randolph St
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 947-8855
    General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
    Gielow Chris
    194 Bracken Pkwy
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 942-8800
    Attorneys
    Whitten Chris
    313 Western Blvd # K
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 885-8665
    Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
    Bankruptcy Jon Brown
    3209 W Smith Valley Rd
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 245-8605
    Attorneys, Bankruptcy Services, Bankruptcy Law Attorneys
    Wallace Law Firm
    223 Elm St
    Clinton, IN 47842
    (765) 832-7870
    General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
    Hallett Denise M
    651 E 3rd St
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 942-7580
    General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
    Vander Luitgar Tom
    299 W Main St
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 881-7575
    Attorneys
    Van Valer Law Firm
    299 W Main St
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 881-7575
    Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Litigation & Tort Attorney
    Marshall Kevin W
    139 N Michigan Ave
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 313-7023
    Attorneys
    Kenneth Fugate & Associates
    7225 E Ridge Rd
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 947-7000
    Bankruptcy Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Services,  Legal Service Plans
    Roscoe Stovall Jr & Assoc
    2 W Main St
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 881-6908
    Divorce Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys
    Brown Dennis K
    374 S Madison Ave
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    (317) 888-6862
    Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Lega
    Davies Steven L
    210 Main Street
    Hobart, IN 46342
    (219) 947-5800
    Attorneys
    Gay Mary Ann
    126 N Main St
    Versailles, IN 47042
    (812) 689-5170
    Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
    12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US