Brockton Wills Lawyer

Brockton Wills Attorney

Preparing for the end of your life can be an overwhelming, emotional, and demanding series of events you may not be ready to deal with on your own. Without the right people in your corner, you may make mistakes that could be detrimental to your loved ones when the time comes. Estate planning documents gives you the opportunity to put together a comprehensive plan, including a will. You should consider reaching out to a skilled Brockton wills lawyer for help.

Albanese Law, LLC: Your Brockton Wills Law Firm

The legal team at Albanese Law, LLC, understands how hard it can be to think about your last will and testament. If you have significant assets or a substantial estate, you’ll want to create a plan to make sure the people you care about are taken care of. That’s where a last will and testament comes in. An experienced estate planning lawyer can help you put together a document that will hold up when scrutinized during probate.

How Can a Will Help You?

A last will and testament is a comprehensive document that’s legally binding and lists out detailed instructions on how you would like your assets distributed amongst your family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. In order to make a will in Massachusetts, you have to be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. You don’t have to wait until your final days to start putting together a will. In fact, if your estate is significant, you may want to establish one much earlier.

If you have a will early on, you can update it accordingly as you progress through life. Many people may decide to update their wills after significant life moments such as marriages, divorces, deaths, births, and adoptions. Since it’s your will and your estate, you can update it whenever you like. You can keep your beneficiaries a secret until your death, or you can let your loved ones know exactly what they seek to gain from you, if anything.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census, the median household income in Massachusetts is around $101,000. The average household income for Brockton is around $77,000, and there are 182,919 employer establishments. These numbers indicate that many in the area have a significant estate. They may seek to gain by drafting a will to ensure the right people benefit. If you are considering a will because you’re at the end of your life, you may want to look into a local grief support group like GriefShare.

Requirements for Drafting a Will in Massachusetts

If your will is not drafted correctly, many types of issues may result when it goes through probate. If the court decides your will is invalid because you missed a crucial step in the drafting process, the court may decide how to distribute your assets among your closest living relatives. They may not adhere to your wishes at all. It’s vital that you ensure the will is drafted properly by making sure it meets the requirements for drafting a will in Massachusetts:

• In Writing: For a last will and testament to be considered legally binding in Massachusetts, it needs to be in writing. It can be either typed or handwritten. An oral declaration of your intentions is not enough to hold up in probate court. Exceptions may be made for military personnel only.
• Signature: For your will to be considered valid, it must be signed by the person drafting the will, who is referred to as the testator. Someone else may sign it on your behalf, but only in your presence and at your direction.
• Witnesses: There must be at least two witnesses to the signing who are not designated beneficiaries in the will itself. These two witnesses must sign the will as well.

FAQs

How Much Do Most Lawyers Charge for a Will?

The amount that your lawyer will charge you for drafting a will depends entirely on the details of your case, the complexity of the will itself, and the lawyer’s experience in handling cases similar to yours. The more difficult your case is, the more your lawyer will likely charge for their services. The cost can vary significantly.

What Are the Risks of a Do-It-Yourself Will?

There are several risks associated with a do-it-yourself, or DIY, will. You may be tempted to use an online service to make your will and avoid consulting a lawyer. The risks of going this route could be substantial. Your will might be considered invalid if you don’t follow the strict requirements. You may overlook certain things that a lawyer would see, such as key elements that could cost your heirs a significant amount in fees.

What Type of Lawyer Is Ideal for Wills?

In Brockton, Massachusetts an estate planning lawyer is ideal for wills. Specifically, you’ll want an estate planning lawyer who has experience dealing with wills and probate matters. Creating a will is important, and you’ll need someone by your side who isn’t going to take advantage of your time.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Will?

Technically, you do not need to hire a lawyer for a will. If your will is fairly straightforward, you could, in theory, put it together yourself. You can even use an online service to make a legally enforceable will. However, to be certain that your will is legally sound and meets your specifications, you should hire an estate planning lawyer to write it for you.

Contact a Wills Lawyer From Albanese Law, LLC, Today

When estate planning, you’ll want to be sure your plan includes a will. Knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of after you are gone can give you peace of mind. An experienced lawyer can help ensure your will stands up in court and to any potential challenges.

The legal team at Albanese Law, LLC, can help you build a will that includes all of your desired specifications. Contact us to speak to a team member about the many ways we can help your case.