legal advice

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

hi there-

i'm about to leave the country and just wanted to write up something quick and easy that's like a will but not necessarily as complicated. i'm hoping someone here has some advice. if i just write something up and sign it in front of a notary public, does that at least have some kind of legal merit, even if it's not as robust as an actual will? and if so, does anyone know of a good, easily accessible notary around davis?

thanks.

Comments

[bex77]

Hmmm...something can be better than nothing. But this stuff is tricky and I
highly recommend a lawyer to get 2 basic documents before you leave. They
are used to "last minute" work on these things...we did ours in a bit of a rush
right before my husband had major surgery.

Note - I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.

1) Last Will and Testament - name an Executor who will handle your
affairs, and name benficiaries who get your property, which is
usually "this goes to so-in-so, all the rest to so-in-so". If any of
those people are traveling with you, name a 2nd person or charity.
Get two witnesses, neither of whom are named in the will, and have
your signature notarized. Don't include burial or funeral ideas. The
will is often not found or read until after all that.

2) Health Care Proxy - you can get this form online. Name someone
to make medical decision for you if you're incapacitated. You can
get into "if this, then that" but many people find that impossible.

You might also want a "durable power of attorney" that names
someone to take care of all your affairs if you are incapcitated.

I hope someone else can recommend a lawyer near Davis.

I used Brian Lacey at Richardson & Tyler on Broad Street in
Boston. Check them out at rtlegal.com.

Good luck. Safe travels!

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

Wainwright Bank in Davis Square notarizes all my documents.

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

They're probably there more often than I'm home, but I, too, am a Notary. :)