Practice
Wills
A will names who receives what you own and who will carry out your wishes. For a parent of young children, it also names who raises them.
We start with your family, not a form. Who depends on you, who you trust with money, who you trust with the children, and who would be hurt to be left out. Then we write a will that answers those questions in words a probate judge and your grown children will read the same way.
Most clients sign a will together with a durable power of attorney and a health care directive, so that someone you chose can act for you while you are living, too.
What a will plan includes
A will, with a personal representative and a backup
Guardians named for minor children
A durable power of attorney
A health care power of attorney and living will
A signing meeting with witnesses and a notary
Questions about wills
Do I need a will if everything is jointly owned?
Often you still do. Joint ownership passes property to the survivor, but it doesn't name a guardian for children, cover the second death, or handle anything held in one name.
Where is the original kept?
We can keep the signed original in our office vault and give you copies, or you can take it home; we will tell you where it is safest to keep it.
How often should a will be reviewed?
After a marriage, divorce, birth, death, move or a large change in what you own, and otherwise every five years or so. A review meeting is short.
Start your will with a conversation
Bring a list of your family and what you own. We'll do the rest of the thinking with you.