Re: Will
Here it is straight from Texas.<br /><br />Requirements for a Valid Will <br />Each state sets different formal requirements for the creation of a legal will. In Texas, any person who is at least 18 years old or is or has been lawfully married; or who is a member of the United States Armed forces, or the auxiliaries thereof, or the maritime service at the time the will is made can make a legal will. In addition, he or she must be of sound mind, which means that the individual has no mental disability that prevents him or her from understanding the full nature of the document he or she signs. <br /><br />In Texas, a will must be in writing and must be signed by the testator in person or by another person for the testator at the testator's direction in the testator's presence. The will also must be witnessed, in the special manner provided by law, by at least two other people. A handwritten will, often called a holographic will, is valid in Texas provided that it is wholly in the handwriting of the testator. A will is valid until it is revoked or superseded by a new will. Individual provisions can be changed by a codicil, which is described in the section Changing and Updating Wills. <br /><br />It is not necessary to hire an attorney to create a will. Anyone can create a will, as long as he or she pays close attention to the details outlined above. Smaller estates can be described simply, and making a will to disperse a smaller estate can be done by almost anyone. The simplest will in history ever to be declared valid by a court contained only three words: "All to wife." However, a lawyer's guidance is very helpful to deal with complicated property holdings or an estate with many assets, especially if they are located in several different places. A business owner, too, needs the advice of an experienced attorney to transfer his or her assets. An attorney can ensure that the transfer of property described in the will is done in a way that minimizes the survivor's tax liability. In addition, a complicated estate may require documents other than a will, such as a trust agreement, to ensure that all of a person's wishes are carried out.
