Wills Lawyer Huntsville, AL

Your Wills Lawyer

When it comes to different ways you can take care of and provide for your family, an important one is having a last will and testament drawn up by a licensed and qualified Huntsville, AL wills lawyer according to your wishes. Doing this can help your family in many ways. The skilled and highly qualified team at New Beginnings Family Law is experienced with successfully planning wills and estates for families for over a decade. Contact us today for help with wills, estate planning, and family law issues.

Your Will

A will, formally known as a “last will and testament” is a legal document that helps to ensure that your money, assets, property, and personal belongings will be transferred efficiently and with as little hassle as possible to your heirs. A will also allows its testator (the person whose will it is) to name an executor who will manage the estate and guardians for minor children. A will must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses. To make sure that a will is legally binding, it is recommended that you discuss your particular situation with a knowledgeable and experienced Huntsville wills lawyer who will guide you through the process and make sure everything is documented and submitted properly.

Wills And Probate

Wills in Alabama, typically require the estates they are attached to go through the probate process after their testator passes. Probate is the process by which a will is verified by a court to be valid in order for the estate to be distributed according to its terms. While a will is a legal document that outlines how its owner’s assets will be distributed, probate is the process that makes the will legally effective and allows for the distribution of its assets.

Ways To Avoid Probate

In general, wills in Alabama need to go through the probate process before their assets are distributed but there are a few exceptions to this rule. When an estate is small and valued under a certain threshold (the 2024 limit was $36,030) and does not contain real estate, it is typically allowed to go through a streamlined probate process called, summary distribution. When assets such as bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, etc. have named beneficiaries, they do not need to go through probate to be disbursed. Assets held in joint tenancy with survivorship, such as property jointly owned with a spouse or child, avoid probate. Another way to bypass probate is to put your assets into a living trust.

Talk To A Wills Lawyer

To learn more about will and estate planning and to discuss your particular will and estate planning goals, contact a Huntsville wills lawyer who is experienced with ensuring their clients’ wills and estate plans are legally binding. The highly recommended and experienced team at New Beginnings Family Law is here to answer your questions and discuss your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.