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San Francisco Wills

Writing a San Francisco legal will is a relatively inexpensive and simple step anyone can take toward estate planning.  Michael B. Bassi, A Law Corporation has the experience needed to determine when a legal will in San Francisco is your best option to ensure your heirs remain protected after your death.

Understanding Legal Wills in San Francisco

A will is a written document that issues instructions on how property should be distributed in the event of your death.  You can amend or rewrite your will at any time.

Wills are valid as stand-alone documents, but they can also be used as part of a revocable living trust to provide an accounting of how you want certain assets distributed.  If you choose to use a stand-alone will, you need to be aware of the following considerations:

  • Wills must go through probate.  A court looks at your financial situation at the time of death.  If you have outstanding debt, the job of the court is to try to repay all or part of that debt from your assets before distributing the balance of your assets to your heirs
  • Probate records are part of public records.  If people want to see the details of your estate and how it was distributed, they can find the details in the public records
  • One benefit of a will is that it is relatively simple and inexpensive to create
  • It is not difficult or expensive to modify a will at any time, and they require little or no management after they have been modified and signed

When San Francisco Legal Wills are the Right Solution

Many factors must be considered when deciding between writing a will or creating a revocable living trust.  While it is essential to seek advice from a skilled San Francisco estate planning attorney, the following are some typical considerations:

  • Expense:  Legal wills in San Francisco are relatively inexpensive to create and file
  • Simplicity:  Simple estates can often be well-protected when a simple will is in place.  When the estate is more complex—such as when there is significant outstanding debt, multiple properties, or a business to consider—potential San Francisco probate issues can complicate the ability of your heirs to obtain their intended inheritance.  In this case, a San Francisco estate planning lawyer is likely to recommend additional protection for your estate
  • Maintenance:  Although a will can be revised at any time, it requires no maintenance to remain effective.

It is also important to note that a will can later be incorporated into a revocable living trust if your situation changes in the future.  As such, writing a will can be an important first step in estate planning.

Seek Experienced Legal Counsel

At Michael B. Bassi, A Law Corporation, our San Francisco probate litigation attorneys have experience handling a wide variety of trust, estate, and probate issues.  To speak to one of our attorneys and learn how we can successfully resolve your legal matter, contact Michael B. Bassi, A Law Corporation today. 


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