1990 Westwood Blvd. #200
Los Angeles CA 90025
Phone: (310) 446-0088; Facsimile: (310) 446-0079
"TIP OF THE MONTH"
(September 1995)
CALIFORNIA STATUTORY WILLS
In California, you don't need an attorney to prepare your will. But if you have a large estate, you may want an attorney to plan your estate and prepare your will. (In California, you must be at least 18 years old to make a valid will.) If you wish to prepare your own will, you can use either what is known in California as a "Statutory Will," or a "holographic" Will. Here is some very general information about these kinds of Wills. If you use them, be careful. One mistake could mean your will is not valid!
Under California law, a holographic will need not be witnessed. It will be valid under California law if the signature and the material provisions are in the handwriting of the testator (the person who died).
You can prepare a California Statutory Will by simply filling in the blanks. All the instructions are contained in the form. You must sign the Statutory Will in the presence of two or more disinterested (but they must pay attention!) adults who must also sign your Statutory Will as witnesses. You should be able to find a Statutory Will Form at any stationers.
Keep your will in a safe place where someone can find it when you die.
If you don't have a valid Will when you die, the laws of the State of California will determine who gets your property at your death.
Go back to Michael H. Lester's Home Page.
Use of copyrighted graphics in this home page is strictly for the purpose of making links to other www sites more pleasing to the visitor's eye. I have made no other use of these graphics, and intend no other use or infringement. I will immediately remove any graphic or link upon request or demand by the copyright holder.
Disclaimer: Web pages are revised constantly.
Michael H. Lester, J.D., CPA cannot be responsible for the content or suitability of linked pages.
Michael H. Lester (mhl@michael-lester.com)
mhl@michael-lester.com
http://www.michael-lester.com
Copyright © 1995-2002 Michael H. Lester