What is a pour-over will?

A pour-over will is a legal document that is used in wills and probate law in California. It is a special type of will that is used to ensure that any assets that are not explicitly included in a trust are still taken into account as part of the person’s estate. When a person dies and assets have not been distributed properly, they can be “poured over” into the trust. This means that the assets will be transferred to the trust and distributed according to the instructions in the will. A pour-over will is typically used by individuals who have created a trust to manage their assets. This may include wills and estates, but it can also include other assets like a business or real estate. By having a pour-over will, the individual’s wishes are documented and can be followed in case of their death. In California, pour-over wills are created through a written document which must be signed by the testator—the person creating the will—in the presence of two witnesses. The will must be dated and witnessed to be legally valid. It must also be filed with the probate court to be sure that the assets are distributed properly according to the pour-over will. Overall, a pour-over will is an important document to have in place in California. It ensures that all of a person’s assets are distributed according to their wishes and that they can rest assured that their estate will be taken care of properly.

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