Ventura Will Attorneys

Estate Planning Lawyers in California

A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legally binding document that establishes how your assets—including real property, bank accounts, and belongings—are distributed and used after your death. You do this by creating a descriptive and detailed will: naming your beneficiaries and what they are to receive from your estate. At Zahn Law Offices, APC, we understand how complex estate planning can be, which is why our Ventura estate planning attorneys are here to provide you with the sound legal advice you need.

Why You Need a Will

Aside from naming exactly who receives your assets, a will is a flexible document whose purpose may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Appointing a guardian for your minor children
• Naming an executor, who assists with the distribution of your assets and the administration of your estate
• Providing for the establishment of a testamentary trust
• Directing how debts, taxes, and expenses are to be paid after your death
• Funeral wishes

Three Types of Wills

In California, there are three kinds of wills: holographic wills, statutory wills, and attorney-drafted wills. Below are brief descriptions of each:

• Holographic will: A hand written will that does not require notarization or witnesses. This type of will is not usually recommended, especially when the estate is large and/or complicated.
• Statutory will: A prewritten will created by the state legislature and written into state law, meaning you have to use the will exactly as it is drafted and without amendment. If you are a state resident, you may use this will at no cost, but it is only recommended for very limited and simple estates.
• Attorney-prepared will: Of all the wills, a drafted will is the most recommended. It allows for complicated estate plans to be properly executed. For example, if a person wants to exclude a family member from receiving benefits or name a guardian to raise children in the event of death, they can easily do so.

If you are curious about what you and your estate may need or are curious about how to begin preparing your estate, contact our Ventura estate planning attorneys at Zahn Law Offices, APC today. Our team can help explain the various estate planning tools and help you decide which is right for you.