How to Create a Will in Ohio
Though most people do not like to think about it, death is inevitable. Especially in cases of premature death, wills become extremely important for the family of the deceased. Wills leave specific instructions on how to distribute a person's wealth and possessions after death. Wills can also designate who will raise the children if a person dies before his children are of legal age. Without a will, the state decides how best to distribute a person's assets. Each state, including Ohio, has its own requirements and laws regarding wills.
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Instructions
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Decide exactly what you want your will to cover. Put together a list of your assets and how you want them distributed. According to Wise4Living.com, without a will, the state determines who gets what of your estate. If you have children under the age of 18, determine who will become their guardian in case of your premature death. This information should also be included in your will.
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Be at least 18 years old and capable of making decisions. LegalZoom.com states that Ohio law requires anyone who writes a will be 18 years old, of sound mind, and not under restraint.
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Create the will. Ohio law states that wills and last testaments must be in writing--either handwritten, printed, or typed--to be valid, according to LegalZoom.com. Several websites like LegacyWriter.com allow you to create your own will online, sometimes for free, but usually for a small free. Simply fill in the information when prompted and the online program puts together the information in a professional and legal format. Other options for creating a will include using a lawyer, or simply writing one up yourself.
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Have two witnesses sign and date the will. Ohio law requires that the witnesses be "disinterested" and be physically present when you sign your will, according to the Sheppard Law Offices.
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Store your will in a safe place. Let at least one other person outside your family know where your will is located so that it can be found after your passing.
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References
- Photo Credit Hand and document at the meeting image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.com
