At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose, we help individuals create clear and legally sound last wills and testaments tailored to California law. A last will documents your wishes for distribution of assets, guardianship for minor children, and final arrangements. Properly drafted wills avoid ambiguity and reduce the risk of disputes among family members. Our approach focuses on listening to your priorities, explaining options in plain language, and preparing documents that reflect your intentions while complying with state formalities to ensure enforceability and a smoother probate process.
Creating a last will and testament is an important step in thoughtful estate planning. A well-drafted will can designate property beneficiaries, name an executor to manage the estate, and include specific bequests or conditions. For families with minor children, a will allows you to name guardian nominees to care for them if something happens. We also coordinate wills with trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives so that your plan functions coherently. Every plan is customized to your circumstances and updated as life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant financial events occur.
A last will and testament provides clear instructions for how your assets should be distributed, who will manage your estate, and who will care for minor children. This reduces uncertainty and can limit family conflict after your passing. Wills allow you to make specific gifts, leave personal effects to chosen beneficiaries, and establish conditional bequests if desired. When coordinated with other planning documents such as revocable living trusts and powers of attorney, a will helps ensure continuity of plans and that your wishes are respected during probate. Beyond asset distribution, a will supports orderly administration and provides peace of mind.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose focuses on estate planning services tailored for residents of Santa Clara County and the broader California community. Our practice emphasizes detailed, client-centered planning that addresses wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We work to translate legal requirements into straightforward guidance so clients can make informed decisions. Throughout the drafting process, we prioritize communication, clarity, and durable documents designed to withstand changes in family circumstances and state law while ensuring your intentions are properly documented and legally effective.
A last will and testament is a formal written statement directing how your property and affairs should be handled after your death. In California, a valid will must satisfy statutory requirements such as proper signing and witnessing. Wills appoint an executor to manage estate administration, pay debts, and distribute assets to named beneficiaries. They can also include guardianship nominations for minor children and identify personal property recipients. While a will is a powerful tool, certain assets may pass outside probate through beneficiary designations or trusts, so coordinated planning is advisable to achieve your overall objectives.
Many clients use a will as part of a larger estate plan that can include living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. A will is particularly useful when you wish to name guardians for children, leave specific bequests, or ensure a designated person serves as the executor. It also serves as a ‘pour-over’ mechanism to direct assets into a trust if coupled with a trust-based plan. Because probate procedures and timelines vary, understanding how a will interacts with other legal documents and property ownership is essential to minimizing delays and costs for your beneficiaries.
A last will and testament is a legally enforceable document that outlines how you want your estate handled after your death. It names beneficiaries who will receive assets, appoints an executor to administer the estate, and can include instructions for guardianship of minor children. Wills also allow for specific bequests and statements of intent that guide distribution. In California, formal requirements must be met for a will to be valid, and certain changes in life or asset ownership can affect how a will operates. Reviewing your will periodically ensures it continues to reflect your current wishes and life circumstances.
Every will should clearly identify the testator, name beneficiaries, specify the executor, and articulate how assets should be distributed. Additional clauses can address guardianship nominations, funeral instructions, and contingencies if a beneficiary predeceases the testator. After death, the executor files the will with the probate court and follows statutory procedures to inventory assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property. While smaller estates may qualify for simplified procedures, larger or contested estates may require more formal probate administration. Proper drafting and organization of estate records can streamline the process for appointed fiduciaries and reduce administration time.
Understanding common terms helps you navigate estate planning. Definitions such as testator, beneficiary, executor, intestacy, probate, and pour-over will are foundational. Knowing how beneficiary designations, jointly held property, and trust arrangements interact with a will clarifies expectations for asset distribution. This glossary-style overview is intended to demystify legal language and help clients make choices about guardianship, specific bequests, and estate administration. If unusual assets or family situations exist, tailored explanations can illustrate how these terms apply to your plan and the practical implications for administration after death.
The testator is the person who creates and signs the will, expressing their wishes regarding property distribution and estate management after death. In California, the testator must have testamentary capacity at the time the will is made, meaning they understand the nature and extent of their property and the claims of potential beneficiaries. The testator signs the will in the presence of witnesses according to state requirements; these formalities help ensure the document’s validity in probate. Regular review of the will by the testator is important when life events occur that may change intentions or beneficiary designations.
An executor is the individual named in the will to administer the estate, handle creditor claims, file necessary tax returns, and distribute assets to beneficiaries according to the will’s terms. If the named executor is unable or unwilling to serve, the court may appoint a successor. The executor is responsible for acting in the best interests of the estate and following fiduciary duties under California law, including keeping accurate records and communicating with beneficiaries. Selecting a reliable executor and providing clear guidance can help the estate administration proceed smoothly and with less friction among heirs.
A beneficiary is any person or entity designated in the will to receive assets, property, or interests from the estate. Beneficiaries can include family members, friends, charities, or organizations. The will may define specific gifts to particular beneficiaries or allocate percentages of the remaining estate. Beneficiary designations on accounts and jointly held property can override will provisions for those assets, so ensuring consistency across documents is important. The will can also provide contingent beneficiaries to receive property if a primary beneficiary predeceases the testator.
A pour-over will is a type of will commonly used alongside a living trust; it directs any assets not already transferred into the trust during the testator’s lifetime to be transferred into the trust upon death. This ensures assets inadvertently left outside the trust are still governed by the trust’s terms and distributed according to its provisions. While a pour-over will typically still goes through probate for those assets, it helps centralize administration under the trust framework. Proper funding of a trust during life can minimize probate, but the pour-over will is a helpful backstop to capture overlooked assets.
When planning for the disposition of assets, it helps to compare wills, living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements. A will provides a straightforward way to name guardians and specify bequests but generally requires probate for estate administration. A revocable living trust can avoid probate for assets titled in the trust and offer continuity for asset management, yet it requires active funding and maintenance. Beneficiary designations transfer certain assets directly without probate. Choosing the right combination depends on estate size, privacy concerns, family dynamics, and the desire to minimize court involvement while ensuring your wishes are respected.
For individuals with smaller estates, uncomplicated family relationships, and straightforward asset ownership, a basic last will and testament may be sufficient to document key instructions. If most assets have beneficiary designations or are jointly held, a will can address residual matters, guardianship nominations, and specific personal bequests without requiring a more complex trust arrangement. A properly drafted will clarifies executor duties and beneficiary expectations and can provide essential guidance in the event of your passing. Regular review ensures the will reflects current circumstances and prevents unintended outcomes.
When your intentions are straightforward and few beneficiaries are involved, a will can efficiently express how assets should be divided, name an executor, and designate guardians for minor children. This simplicity can keep estate administration relatively quick and predictable, particularly if assets are easily valued and debts are minimal. A will still must comply with California formalities to be enforceable, so careful drafting is important. Even simple plans benefit from professional guidance to ensure the document accomplishes your goals and coordinates with beneficiary designations and any existing trust arrangements.
For larger estates or situations involving mixed asset types, out-of-state property, blended families, or potential creditor concerns, a comprehensive planning approach can provide greater certainty and control. Combining wills with living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives allows for coordinated management of assets during incapacity and after death. Trusts can reduce probate exposure for assets properly titled within the trust, and additional instruments such as irrevocable life insurance trusts or special needs trusts may address specific planning goals. Thorough planning helps manage tax implications and protects intended beneficiaries.
If family relationships are complex, or if a beneficiary receives public benefits or has special needs, tailored planning may be essential. Trusts designed for specific purposes, such as special needs trusts, can preserve eligibility for government assistance while providing supplemental support. Planning can also address concerns about blended family fairness, creditors, or business succession. A comprehensive plan provides mechanisms to reduce disputes, clarify decision-making, and protect vulnerable beneficiaries while balancing your goals for asset distribution and long-term care considerations in a way that respects legal constraints and practical realities.
A coordinated estate plan that integrates a last will with trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives can make management of your affairs more seamless during incapacity and after death. Trusts can help avoid probate for assets titled in trust, while powers of attorney ensure financial matters are handled if you cannot act. Health care directives express medical preferences and designate decision makers. Together these documents reduce administrative burden on loved ones, promote privacy for asset transfers, and provide continuity of financial and health-related decision-making according to your wishes.
Beyond administrative efficiency, a comprehensive approach allows for targeted solutions such as tax planning, asset protection measures for specific situations, and tailored provisions for beneficiaries with special circumstances. It also provides flexibility to update terms as life events occur, offering ongoing alignment with your priorities. Thoughtful coordination minimizes the risk of conflicting documents and increases the likelihood that your estate will be managed and distributed in line with your intentions while keeping the administration process clear and as streamlined as possible for your appointed fiduciaries.
One benefit of combining trusts with a will is the potential to minimize assets that must pass through probate, which can save time and administrative costs for the estate. Assets properly transferred to a revocable living trust during life are generally administered under the trust terms rather than through probate court, accelerating distribution and preserving privacy. Even with a pour-over will in place, the primary aim of trust funding is to simplify post-death administration. Thoughtful titling and beneficiary designations are essential to achieving this benefit and require careful review of each asset’s ownership and transfer mechanisms.
A comprehensive plan allows for more nuanced control over when and how beneficiaries receive assets, including staggered distributions, trust conditions, and protections for beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage large inheritances. This control can safeguard assets from mismanagement, creditor claims, or unintended consequences of outright distributions. Additionally, specialized trusts can address needs like long-term care funding or protecting inheritances for family members with disabilities. Clear drafting ensures your intentions are enforceable and that trustees or fiduciaries have the authority to manage assets consistent with your goals.
Gathering detailed records of bank accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, real property deeds, and outstanding debts helps ensure your will accurately reflects your estate. Prepare a list of digital accounts and passwords, and identify beneficiary designations that may supersede will provisions. Having up-to-date documentation simplifies the drafting process and reduces the chance of overlooked assets. Clear organization also assists the executor in fulfilling duties promptly, locating relevant paperwork, and communicating effectively with beneficiaries and financial institutions during estate administration.
Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or changes in financial status can affect how a will should distribute assets. Regularly reviewing and updating your will helps ensure it continues to reflect current relationships and intentions. Beneficiary designations on accounts should also be checked periodically for consistency. Even small changes in asset ownership can impact estate administration, so scheduled reviews—perhaps every few years or when significant events occur—are recommended to maintain alignment with your overall estate planning goals and to reduce the risk of unintended outcomes for your heirs.
Having a last will and testament provides clarity about who should inherit assets, who will carry out your final wishes, and who will care for any minor children. A will reduces ambiguity and provides legal direction for estate administration, which can prevent family disputes and avoid unnecessary delays. It complements other planning documents and helps ensure personal possessions are distributed according to your wishes. Whether starting from scratch or updating an older document, a will is a foundational piece of any estate plan and an important tool for protecting your family’s future.
Updating a will is important when major life events occur or when asset portfolios change. New property, changes in beneficiary relationships, or revisions in health care and financial decision-making preferences are all valid reasons to revisit your plan. Ensuring that a will aligns with retirement accounts, trusts, and beneficiary designations helps to avoid conflicts and unintended asset transfers. Regular review and timely updates allow your plan to keep pace with family dynamics and financial changes, making administration more predictable and less burdensome for those you leave behind.
People often create or revise wills after life events such as the birth or adoption of children, marriage, divorce, acquiring significant property, or starting a business. Wills are also updated to name guardians for minor children or to change the executor or beneficiaries. Other circumstances include planning for blended families, protecting inheritances for loved ones with special needs, or clarifying wishes when retiring or relocating. In each case, a properly drafted will documents intentions and provides a clear path for estate administration under California law.
The arrival of a child typically necessitates estate planning to name guardians, designate financial guardians or trustees, and allocate assets to support the child. Without a will, the court decides guardian appointments and asset distribution, which may not reflect your preferences. Drafting or updating a will when a child is born ensures your choices for care, financial support, and who manages assets are documented. Including contingency plans for alternative guardians and trustees helps protect the child’s future if your primary picks cannot serve.
Marriage often prompts creating a new will to name a spouse as beneficiary or to establish joint planning goals. Divorce may require revising estate documents to remove a former spouse from beneficiary designations or executor roles and to reallocate assets to other family members. California community property rules and changes in family relationships can significantly affect estate outcomes. Timely updates after marriage or divorce ensure that your will aligns with your current family structure and probate considerations, reducing the chance of unintended distributions.
Acquiring real estate, receiving an inheritance, changes in retirement accounts, or significant shifts in health can all trigger a need to review and revise your will. Health changes may also prompt coordination with powers of attorney and advance health care directives to address potential incapacity. Keeping estate documents consistent with current asset ownership and health preferences helps ensure your plan works as intended, protects beneficiaries, and equips appointed fiduciaries with clear instructions during transitions and after your death.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose provide practical, personalized assistance with wills and related estate planning documents for residents of Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. We help clients gather necessary information, explain options under California law, and prepare documents such as last wills, pour-over wills, and ancillary trust instruments. Our goal is to make the process accessible and thorough so the final documents reflect your intentions and are ready for execution. We also advise on coordinating beneficiary designations and property titling to support your plan’s effectiveness.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for thoughtful estate planning that focuses on clarity, compliance with California formalities, and practical administration. We guide clients through the selection of fiduciaries, drafting of specific bequests, and integration with other planning tools like trusts and powers of attorney. Our process emphasizes clear communication and documentation so your will is understandable and enforceable, making administration by an appointed executor more straightforward for your family during a difficult time.
We prioritize helping clients create plans that reflect real-life circumstances, whether dealing with blended families, out-of-state property, or special needs considerations. By addressing these issues up front, we aim to reduce the potential for disputes and clarify the distribution of assets. We also assist with related documents — like living trusts, certification of trust, and powers of attorney — to ensure your overall plan is cohesive and operates smoothly both during incapacity and after death.
Our practice supports clients throughout the lifecycle of estate planning, including initial drafting, periodic reviews, and updates after major life events. We help clients understand how differing asset ownership structures and beneficiary designations interact with wills and recommend practical steps to align documents with stated goals. Our focus is on providing durable, clear estate plans that reduce administrative burdens, preserve family relationships, and protect the interests of intended beneficiaries in accordance with California law and personal priorities.
Our process begins with an initial consultation to gather financial and family information and to identify your goals for asset distribution and care of dependents. We review property ownership, beneficiary designations, and any existing documents such as trusts or prior wills. Based on that review, we draft a will and, where appropriate, complementary documents like powers of attorney and advance health care directives. After your review and approval, we guide you through execution formalities so the documents meet California legal requirements and are ready for safe storage and future updates.
The first step is collecting detailed information about assets, debts, family relationships, and existing estate planning documents. We ask about real estate, retirement accounts, insurance policies, business interests, and any special concerns, such as beneficiaries receiving public benefits. Clear documentation of your wishes for asset distribution and guardian nominations allows us to draft a will that accurately reflects your intentions and coordinates with other instruments to avoid conflicts and unintended consequences.
Recording each asset and its current ownership and beneficiary designations helps determine what must be addressed in a will versus what passes outside probate. Accounts with beneficiary designations or jointly held property may not be governed by the will, so we identify those distinctions and recommend steps to align titling and designations with your goals. This thorough inventory reduces surprises during administration and ensures that all relevant assets are considered when designing the overall plan.
Selecting an executor, trustees, and guardians requires thought about responsibilities, availability, and willingness to serve. We discuss the roles and responsibilities of each fiduciary, suggest alternatives, and document contingency choices. Clear nominations in the will, alongside trust documents where appropriate, help streamline decision-making and protect minors and vulnerable beneficiaries by specifying who will act on their behalf and how assets intended for them should be managed.
After gathering information, we draft a will and any supporting documents tailored to your circumstances, including pour-over wills, certification of trust, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives if needed. Drafting focuses on clarity, compliance with California formalities, and alignment with your broader estate planning strategy. We provide accessible explanations of each provision so you understand the practical effect of the documents before signing, and we incorporate any special provisions such as trusts for specific purposes or guardianship nominations.
Once draft documents are prepared, we review them with you and welcome questions and revisions to ensure the language precisely reflects your wishes. This review stage is important for resolving ambiguities, adjusting bequests, and confirming fiduciary nominations. We take care to explain legal terms in plain language, illustrating how provisions will operate in practice, and we make revisions as needed to align the documents with your priorities and family dynamics before finalizing them for execution.
California law requires specific signing and witnessing formalities for wills to be valid, including the presence of qualified witnesses and the testator’s signature. We guide you through the execution process to ensure all statutory requirements are met and advise on safe-keeping of the original documents. Proper execution minimizes the risk of contest or invalidation and ensures the will is ready for probate filing when necessary, providing confidence that your stated wishes will be recognized by the court and by those responsible for estate administration.
After the will is executed, we recommend safe storage of the original document and distribution of copies to trusted fiduciaries or secure locations. We also advise updating beneficiary designations where appropriate and reviewing titles on major assets to ensure consistency with your overall plan. Periodic reviews and updates after major life events keep your documents current. We offer ongoing guidance to make updates efficient and to maintain coherence among wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives as circumstances change.
Keeping the original will in a secure, accessible place and informing the executor of its location prevents delays when probate begins. Some clients use bank safe deposit boxes, attorney custody, or other secure storage options and provide trusted fiduciaries with copies or instructions. Ensuring executors know how to access necessary documents and financial information streamlines administration and reduces uncertainty. We can assist with recommendations for secure storage and preparing a concise estate file for fiduciaries to use when undertaking administration tasks.
Estate planning is not a one-time event. Periodic reviews help confirm that a will and related documents still reflect your wishes after changes in family, finances, or law. Amendments or codicils can modify a will for limited changes, while full re-drafting may be appropriate for significant revisions. We help clients determine when updates are advisable and implement revisions properly to avoid conflicts between old and new documents. Maintaining up-to-date planning documents helps ensure your intentions are implemented without unintended surprises for your heirs.
A will is a document that directs how your property should be distributed after your death and appoints an executor to administer the estate, while a revocable living trust is an arrangement in which a trustee holds title to assets for the benefit of beneficiaries and can provide for the management of those assets during your lifetime and after death. A living trust can help avoid probate for assets properly transferred into the trust, offering more privacy and potentially quicker distribution. However, a trust requires active funding and management, and not all assets automatically move into a trust without appropriate title changes. Choosing between a will and a trust depends on individual circumstances like the size and type of assets, privacy preferences, family dynamics, and whether you want to manage distribution timing or conditions. Many people use a combined approach: a living trust for probate avoidance and a pour-over will to capture any assets left outside the trust. Discussing your specific goals helps determine the right balance and ensures documents are coordinated to work together effectively under California law.
An executor is the person you appoint in your will to handle estate administration tasks such as filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The ideal executor is someone who is trustworthy, organized, willing to assume responsibilities, and able to communicate with family members and institutions. Because the role can involve administrative tasks and interactions with courts and financial institutions, many people select a family member or close friend who meets these criteria, or a professional fiduciary if appropriate for the estate’s complexity. Naming alternate executors is wise in case your primary choice cannot serve. It is helpful to discuss the role with your chosen executor in advance so they understand your wishes and where to find important documents. Proper documentation, clear instructions in the will, and preparing an estate file can make the executor’s responsibilities more manageable and reduce stress during the administration process.
Yes, you can change your will after it is signed through amendments known as codicils or by executing a new will that revokes the prior one. Changes should follow California legal formalities to be effective: a codicil must be signed and witnessed in the same manner as a will, and a new will should expressly revoke earlier wills to avoid conflicts. Simple changes, like altering a beneficiary or executor, are often handled through properly executed codicils or by re-drafting the entire will for clarity when multiple changes are needed. Keeping a will current is important after life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant shifts in assets. Periodic review ensures the document remains aligned with your intentions and with beneficiary designations on accounts. Legal guidance helps ensure amendments are properly implemented and do not unintentionally invalidate other provisions or create ambiguity that can complicate probate.
If you die without a will in California, state intestacy laws determine how your assets are distributed. Typically, property passes to surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, children, or other close relatives according to statutory formulas, which may not align with your personal wishes. Additionally, the court appoints an administrator to oversee estate distribution and may make decisions about guardianship for minor children, rather than allowing you to name a guardian in advance. Dying intestate can increase the likelihood of family disputes and lead to outcomes that differ from what you might have chosen. Creating a will allows you to name an executor, designate beneficiaries, and appoint guardians for minors, providing greater control over distribution and care preferences. Even for modest estates, a will clarifies intentions and reduces uncertainty for loved ones. For assets with designated beneficiaries or joint ownership, those transfer mechanisms may still govern regardless of a will, so comprehensive planning helps align all components of your estate plan.
Not every asset must be listed individually in a will; however, a comprehensive inventory of assets and clear instructions are helpful. Assets that have beneficiary designations, such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies, typically pass outside of probate according to those designations and are not governed by the will. Similarly, property held jointly with rights of survivorship may transfer automatically to the surviving owner. Because of these distinctions, it is important to review account titles and beneficiary designations to ensure they are consistent with your overall estate plan and the wishes expressed in your will. Specific bequests for personal items or unique assets are often included in a will if you want particular individuals to receive them. A pour-over will can capture assets inadvertently left out of a trust and direct them into the trust at death. Coordination with trusts, beneficiary forms, and property titling helps minimize unexpected outcomes and ensures assets are distributed in line with your intentions.
A will can nominate a guardian for minor children, which is an important way to express your preference for who should care for them if both parents die. While the court retains ultimate authority and will typically give weight to a parent’s nomination, it will also consider the best interests of the child when making a final appointment. Nominating a guardian in your will provides clarity and helps prevent disputes among family members during a difficult time. Including alternate nominations is advisable in case the primary choice cannot serve. In addition to naming a guardian for physical care, you can address financial management for minor children by directing that assets be held in trust or managed by a chosen trustee until children reach a specified age. This combination ensures both the child’s day-to-day care and financial protection are planned for, providing a coordinated approach to guardianship and asset stewardship.
A will itself does not avoid probate; probate is the court-supervised process for administering a decedent’s estate under a will. Probate is necessary for assets that are solely owned and do not pass by beneficiary designation, joint tenancy, or trust. The probate process validates the will, appoints the executor, and oversees asset distribution and creditor claims. Depending on the estate’s size and complexity, probate can take several months to over a year, though simplified procedures may apply to smaller estates to streamline the process. If minimizing probate is a key goal, combining a revocable living trust with proper funding of assets into the trust during life can reduce the portion of the estate that must go through probate. A pour-over will can serve as a safety net for assets not transferred into a trust. Each approach has trade-offs, and a coordinated plan helps match administration goals with practical steps to align asset ownership and beneficiary designations.
Reviewing your will periodically—typically every few years and after major life events—is recommended to ensure it continues to reflect current wishes and circumstances. Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of children, significant changes in assets, or relocation can all impact what should be included in your will. Regular updates help avoid outdated provisions, inconsistent beneficiary designations, or conflicts with newer estate planning instruments, and ensure that appointed fiduciaries remain appropriate for the role. It is also sensible to review the will if beneficiary relationships change or if any named fiduciary becomes unable or unwilling to serve. Legal and financial changes can also influence how assets should be titled or managed, so synchronized reviews of wills, trusts, and beneficiary forms maintain coherence across your estate plan and reduce the need for contentious probate proceedings.
Yes, you can leave assets to a beneficiary who has special needs, but to preserve eligibility for public benefits the gift should often be structured carefully, typically through a trust designed to supplement benefits without disqualifying the recipient. A special needs trust can hold assets for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs while allowing continued access to means-tested government programs. Proper drafting and administration of such arrangements are important to avoid inadvertently eliminating benefits and to provide for the beneficiary’s long-term needs. When planning for a beneficiary with special circumstances, coordination among wills, trusts, and other financial planning tools is essential. Naming a trustee who understands benefit rules and the trustee’s obligations can help manage distributions appropriately. Clear instructions and ongoing oversight help ensure funds are used to enhance quality of life without jeopardizing necessary public assistance.
To ensure your will is legally valid in California, the document must meet statutory requirements including the testator’s signature, the presence of required witnesses, and testamentary capacity at the time of signing. While the formalities are critical, clarity in language and identification of beneficiaries, executors, and specific bequests reduces the chance of interpretation disputes. Following proper witnessing procedures and storing the original will securely helps establish authenticity during probate proceedings. Working through a careful drafting and execution process also includes confirming that beneficiary designations on financial accounts and the titling of real property align with the will’s terms. Proper coordination prevents conflicting instructions and minimizes the need for court intervention. If significant changes are needed, executing a new will that expressly revokes prior wills is the clearest way to avoid ambiguity.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas