March 11th, 2007 | 
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encourager4God asked:
Today I just wrote out a rough draft of my last will and testament as well as my husbands and I living will. What do I need to do to get these documents legalized should one day one of us passes away? What are the procedures and costs to have an estate? Thank you for your answers?
Barbara
Today I just wrote out a rough draft of my last will and testament as well as my husbands and I living will. What do I need to do to get these documents legalized should one day one of us passes away? What are the procedures and costs to have an estate? Thank you for your answers?
Barbara
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Depending on where you live, the best thing to do is by a will kit at an office supply store – Office Depot, Office Max, Staples. That explains everything you need to do in your state.
A handwritten will that is not witnessed can be binding; it’s called a holographic will, and in most states will stand up in court, but it’s better if you have it typed, signed, witnessed and if required in your state, notarized and filed.
You need to find out the laws of your state with regard to “living wills”. And the other poster is right – it must be witnessed, notarized, and filed. The only cost you need to worry about now is filing – not expensive. Finding out about your state’s probate laws will help you decide what to do about investments and other holdings to prevent them from being frozen in probate upon your death.