Instead of a joint will, you and your spouse or partner can create reciprocal or mirror wills. Each spouse/partner has their own will. Each will names the other spouse/partner and all children as the primary beneficiaries. Since each document is separate, the surviving spouse or partner would only be bound by the terms of their will. In addition, a surviving spouse or partner is always free to change their will in the future or create a brand new will. We are now residents of Texas and plan to stay. We do not want to change any provisions of our will at this time. Are our wills as effective as those of Texas? Once you`ve made a will, where can you file it (in Texas)? Who keeps it? How does your family know where to go to get it? Ideally, I would like to create a will and funeral preferences, file it with an entity, and then share that entity`s contact information with a relative in the event of my death. I don`t have the information that the family can review and discuss in my lifetime. Thank you! If you want to put money or other assets from your estate for your child longer than UTMA allows, or if you live in a state that does not have a UTMA, EstateGuidance.com gives you the option to include a testamentary trust clause in your will. A testamentary trust allows you to appoint someone to manage the property of minor children until they reach a certain age.

I live in Texas, just like my parents. The person who typed my parents made room for three witnesses instead of the two required in Texas. We had only two witnesses on the day the wills were signed and notarized. Will this invalidate your will or result in a review of the will(s)? Thank you very much. States that recognize de facto marriage generally grant inheritance rights when one of the partners dies without a will, and the surviving partner can prove that a de facto marriage existed. States that do not recognize de facto marriage can grant inheritance rights to a surviving partner, but only if you spent time as a couple in a state that recognizes the common-law marriage. Since the laws surrounding common-law marriage vary from state to state, it is important that you indicate how your estate will be distributed and who will receive your assets. Final will challenges often include allegations that a testator is unable to sign the document. These arguments could include the fact that the testator was subjected to coercion, threats, fraud or coercion and did not produce the document of his or her own free will. I hope you can give me some advice. My father passed away in October 2016.

He made a will with me as heir to his house and also as executor. I did nothing with that will. It was written in 2015. I don`t know what to do with the will now that Dad`s house is empty and that`s really all my father had in his estate. Do I need to contact a real estate lawyer? All I have to do is put the house in my name so I can get home insurance for Dad`s house. The will is signed and notarized with the attached authorizing affidavit. I just need advice. Thank you very much. Jesse in San Antonio TX If the will does not have the signature of a notary, the family must prove the legitimacy of the will – which can take some time depending on the circumstances. Hello.

My father passed away 3 years ago. The only will my mother and father had is very old and he basically left the property to the other when one died and then split 50/50 between me and my brother when the other died. If I succeeded, my half would have to be divided between my 2 children and my brother was executor (they were minors at the time and now adults) There is only me and my brother and my mother has nothing but a house and the contents. Should we seek legal advice or help drafting a will or is there a simple form she could fill out and sign at a notary? Thank you for your help My mother passed away recently. She made a will, but left a signature. However, she also made an affidavit with two witnesses and a notary, all of whom signed. Is this enough for the will to be valid? Keeping your original will in a locker is a common solution. However, you must designate at least two co-registrants who will have access to the record after your death. Other options include keeping your will in a fireproof locker or filing cabinet at home. Your executor and at least one beneficiary should know where the cabinet or locker and key are. Does this invalidate a will if the deceased lived in Texas but the will was executed in Oklahoma? To be valid, a will must be signed by the testator. Signatures on a testator`s deathbed can be as valid as any other signature, provided the person signing the will is able to do so, as described above.

You can make it easier for your witnesses if you attach an affidavit to your will stating that your witnesses actually observed how you signed them and told them what you signed. You would not have to testify this information in court after your death if you were to take this additional step. My mother has a will and says that everything goes to me and that she leaves nothing for two other children. Can that be done or does she have to say that she is leaving them $1.00? My grandmother`s son died and left no will. He had no children or wife. He had 1 house. What steps does my grandmother need to take to sell her house? Few States legally recognize de facto marriage. The laws of these jurisdictions vary depending on the specific requirements of common-law marriage. However, you must meet all of the following criteria to establish a common-law marriage: The following article explains how property is divided if someone dies without a will in Texas: What happens if you die in Texas without a will? Change is inevitable and it is likely that you will experience several important events that will change your life over time. When these life changes occur, your estate plan must also change.

I have a handwritten will that is not written by the testator, but only his signature. There are two witnesses and a notary who sign the handwritten will. I need to know if this can be considered a valid holograph will or a period of will. The testator (the person who writes the will) must be of sound mind to make a valid will.