What is a will?

A will is a legal document that allows a person (known as a testator) to decide how their estate should be distributed after they die. In California, the testator must sign the will in front of two witnesses and have it notarized. A will allows the testator to name their beneficiaries and specify how their assets should be distributed. For example, the testator could leave a portion of their estate to their spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends, a charity, or any other person or organization that they choose. They can also set up a trust to hold and manage assets for the beneficiaries. A will is important because it allows the testator to have some control over their estate after they die. Without a will, California has rules about who inherits a person’s estate, and these rules may not be the same as what the testator would have wanted. In addition, a will can be used to name a guardian for any minor children the testator may have. This guardian would be responsible for making decisions on behalf of the minor children until they reach an age of majority. Finally, a will can be used to appoint an executor. An executor is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the testator. The executor would be responsible for protecting and distributing the estate according to the instructions in the will.

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What is a will?

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