21 December 2020
What Are Wills? A will is a document that states your final wishes. This legal document coordinates the distribution of your assets after death and can appoint guardians for minor children. The will and probate attorneys at Lindsay & Hatheway will make sure your will allows you to communicate your wishes clearly and precisely in your absence. What is Probate? Probate is the procedure by which a will is approved by the court as the valid and last will of a deceased testator. Probate also confirms the appointment of the person named as executor in the will. The executor of your will proves the validity of the document and presents the court with lists of your property, your debts, and who is to inherit what you've left behind. Why Is a Will So Important? Simply put, having a valid will filed with a court means that you, rather than the state you reside in, gets to decide who is entitled to your assets upon your passing. If you pass away without a valid will on file, state laws will determine who inherits your property and other assets. Validity is the key here. Even if you already have a document laying out your wishes, if the court does not judge it to be a valid will, it will not honor it, and your property will be distributed according to state law. This is why it is so important to have a will and probate attorney draw up your final documents. Your attorney can make sure that everything is set up according to the law so that your property will be distributed the way you wish it to be. When you need to discuss proceedings with a will and probate lawyer, please contact Lindsay & Hatheway. We will handle all aspects of the legal procedure from start to finish, so you know you're working with the best firm in Meadville, PA when it comes to wills and probate law.