Handwritten Wills
Many people here in Florida think if they “just write it down” with no witnesses or notary public, their last writing will be legally binding. Unfortunacalltoy, it will not be. Florida does not recognize a handwritten or holographic will. All wills in Florida must be signed by the will maker, also known as the testator, the witnesses and the notary- all at the same time! This is where your Tampa Wills Attorney can help! Contact the Tampa Law Office of Lizbeth Potts today!
Oral Wills
An oral will is not recognized in Florida, either. The legal term for an oral will is a nuncupative will. The only time an oral will would probably even be considered would be if someone was on the battlefield and realized their death was imminent. Maybe, just maybe such a will would be considered by the courts, but only in a few states, not Florida. To learn more about wills, contact Tampa Wills Attorney, Lizbeth Potts today!
Video or Filmed Wills
No state considers such a will valid. A person who has created a will and signed it front of witnesses, who also signed it, and the will was notarized may have a video recording of himself to explain why the will reads the way it does, but something like this would be out of the ordinary and seen only in the movies. Make sure to have a Tampa Wills Attorney on your side, ensuring your will is valid.
Do it Yourself Wills
Such wills are found in office supply stores, online, and in books. They usually use a fill-in-the-blank format. Such wills can be legal, but may contain things that may make them ineffective or unenforceable. This is why it's so important to use a Tampa Wills Attorney like the Tampa law office of Lizbeth Potts. Most people are unaware of the complexity of creating and drafting an enforceable will that passes muster here in Florida. That's why we are here to help!
TRUSTS
Trusts are a way individuals and families can create a structure for their assets and how they should be handled and disbursed to beneficiaries. There are many types of trusts. It depends on what one wants or needs to do with their assets as to the type of trust utilized. A trust usually deals one’s assets during all stages of life: When they are living, if they become incapacitated and when they die. The key component to a trust is its administration is usually done without the involvement of the probate court. But remember, if one creates a trust, there must also be a will- just in case as asset that should have been put into the trust was forgotten or inadvertently left out or to dispose of any assets that one did not want to go into the trust.
Lizbeth Potts, a Florida attorney for more than 25 years, can assist you in your determination as to whether a trust is right for you, your family and your assets. She can also help you with deciding the proper type of trust that is best suited for your needs. She will help you get your house in order.
