What are the legal requirements for making a valid will?
In California, in order to make a valid will, there are certain legal requirements that must be met. First, the person making the will must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The will must be in writing and signed by the person making it, or by someone acting in his/her behalf in his/her presence and by his/her direction. Two or more witnesses must also be present at the time of signing and those witnesses must attest to the will in writing. In addition, it is important to note that a will must have formal requirements as well. Each part of the will must be clearly stated; for example, all of the parties involved in the will should be clearly identified as should the property that is being distributed. Furthermore, the will must not be executed in a manner that violates any state or federal law. Lastly, it is important to note that a will can be contested by heirs if they believe that the will was not validly executed or if it does not follow the legal requirements. It is therefore important to make sure the will is properly executed and follows all relevant laws in order to avoid estate difficulties for the beneficiaries.
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