Wills Archives - Page 8 of 9

April 25, 2017

Single? You Still Need An Estate Plan

Summary: Estate planning documents such as a will, power of attorney, and an advance directive for health care can be just as essential for single people as those who are married and/or parents. Some people may believe that if they are single, do not have any children, and are in relatively good health, that they do not need an estate plan. Or, they might think that an estate

Read More
March 28, 2017

Are Handwritten Wills Valid in Georgia?

A Handwritten Will, sometimes called a Holographic Will, is not valid in Georgia. The state requires wills to be written, signed by the testator, and properly witnessed. The State of Georgia has some specific rules in place when it comes to a person’s Last Will and Testament. According to OCGA § 53-4-20: “(a) A will shall be in writing and shall be signed by the testator or by some other individual

Read More
March 16, 2017

Contesting a Will in Georgia: Undue Influence in a Will

Undue influence, in estate planning terms, means a person was pressured into drafting his or her will so that it benefitted another individual. Once the probate process begins, any person or creditor can challenge the validity of a will if they suspect and are prepared to prove undue influence. When it comes to probating a will, most pass through the probate process without any issues. But there are some

Read More
February 28, 2017

How Student Loans Affect Your Estate Planning

Summary: Student loans can be incorporated into a person's estate plan depending on the type of loan (federal or private) and whether the person is paying their own debts or paying for someone else's student loans. More than 41 million people in the U.S. have student loan debt, with the average borrower owing at least $30,000 (Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). With the number of education loans on the

Read More
February 7, 2017

New Addition to the Family? Time to Update Your Will

Summary: Parents, it's your responsibility to make sure your children are provided for, even if it's not by you personally. In our latest blog, Siedentopf Law discusses the importance of designating guardianship and distribution of assets in your estate plans. When you are in the middle of preparing for a new baby, the thought of estate planning may be daunting. However, as a new parent or parent-to-be, it

Read More
October 20, 2016

What are the Must Have estate planning documents?

Summary: Siedentopf Law discusses the purpose and importance of three essential estate planning documents: 1) Last Will and Testament, 2) Durable Power of Attorney, and 3) Advance Directive for Health Care. Having an estate plan means making provisions for your friends and loved ones and yourself, should you become disabled or upon your death. There are three legal documents in particular that will ensure this process is as

Read More
October 4, 2016

Contesting a Will: Forged Signature

Summary: In Georgia, anyone with an interest in someone's estate can legally challenge a will that has been filed for probate. One of these categories of will challenges is a "forged signature," meaning someone forged the testator's signature on his or her will. If the challenge is successful, the courts may void the will. When it comes to probating a will, most pass through the probate process without

Read More
September 21, 2016

What A Will WON’T Do

Summary: Siedentopf Law explains the limitations of a Last Will & Testament and the type of functions it cannot -- or should not -- do. A Last Will & Testament plays an important role within the field of estate planning. With a will, you can memorialize decisions about who will inherit your property, or who will serve as guardian for your children. Wills are valuable tools – but they

Read More
July 13, 2016

When Should I Start Thinking About Creating A Will?

Summary: When should you start thinking about creating a will? As Siedentopf Law explains, anyone who is 14 years or older, has possessions of value, is a business owner, or who has experienced a major life event might want to consider drafting a will. A Last Will and Testament is an incredibly important document, in that it ensures your wishes are carried out after your death. For many

Read More
June 28, 2016

Now that I have a Will, where should I keep it?

Summary: Now that you have completed your will, where should you store it? Siedentopf Law has some suggestions on how and where to keep your documents safe. You have gone through the estate planning process and have drafted your Last Will and Testament. Congratulations on completing this important process! The next major step, however, is to figure out the best place to keep your will. You want to

Read More

Schedule a Strategy Session

"*" indicates required fields

Categories

Schedule a Strategy Session