Thinking about writing a will is a tough subject. However, it can be very important for you to look into forming one. There are many crucial aspects of a will, besides dictating the distribution of your estate or valuables. In your will, you can designate a guardian for your children, along with addressing other important details that can help ensure your kids are taken care of, should something happen to you.
As with other estate planning tools, wills have various laws that apply to them that are determined at the state level. The state of Pennsylvania has its own rules for will writing, some of which may not be obvious. Here are two of the various laws Pennsylvania has to keep in mind when starting to form a will.
- Number of witnesses: There must be at least two witnesses to sign your will. You have to declare that the will is your own in front of two witnesses, before they sign it. Your witnesses will also have to sign the will while still in your presence.
- Only signed written wills are accepted: The state of Pennsylvania does not recognize oral wills. You’ll have to write it down. Additionally, Pennsylvania does not accept holographic wills. These are wills that are handwritten by a person but aren’t signed by witnesses.
Creating a will can create peace-of-mind for you and your loved ones. Be sure you’re following all laws when writing your will. It will help friends and family in the long run.
