Last Will and Testament Lawyer in Appleton

How much does a last will and testament cost?

Tusler Law’s Appleton Last Will and Testament lawyer offers will and testament preparation at an affordable cost. An individual last will and testament will cost $300. Preparation for a married couple will cost $500. 

• Individual: $300
• Married: $500

Decide where your assets go after passing

Thinking about end-of-life decisions is never pleasant, but it's essential to have a plan in place for the future (especially if you have young children). Without a sound will in place, the state will handle child guardianship and the allocation of your assets and property. A properly prepared last will and testament will effectively allocate assets and property as well as bequests.

Why you need to make a will

Failing to make a will can result in a painful and complicated legal ordeal for your friends and family. Without directing assets yourself, your money or property would be subject to the intestate system and out of your control. For more information, contact our last will and testament lawyer, Ron Tusler.

Will preparation in Wisconsin

While you can legally write your own will in the state of Wisconsin, it is not recommended.

There are a handful of requirements:

• You must sign it – and at least two people must witness the signature
• Your witnesses must sign the will
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be able to comprehend what a will is
• You must include at least one sentence that gives property to someone
• You cannot be coerced into writing your will

Can a handwritten will be legal in Wisconsin?

No. Handwritten wills - also known as holographic wills - are not considered binding legal documents in the state of Wisconsin. 

When to write a will

You are first legally able to write a will when you are 18. Most people write their first will when they get married or if they possess any assets like a home or a business they wish to bequeath to others. It is also important to write a will if you have children and again when they become adults. Many people also choose to write wills if it's been a while since they wrote their last. Assets, relationships, and priorities shift over time so it is important to reflect these changes in your will.

Revoking/ making changes to a will

It is possible to alter or revoke a will under certain circumstances. Life circumstances and preferences may change over time, leading to the need to modify or cancel the existing will.

1. Codicil: Codicils are legal documents used to make minor changes to an existing will without revoking the entire will. It has to be done with the same formalities as a will and is used to add, modify, or remove specific provisions in the original will.

2. Creating a new will: If a person wishes to make significant changes to their will or revoke the existing will entirely, they can create a new will. The new will should explicitly state that it revokes all previous wills and codicils.

3. Destruction: A will can be revoked by physically destroying it with the intention of revoking it. Common methods of destruction include tearing, burning, or otherwise mutilating the original will.

4. Revocation by marriage or divorce: In some jurisdictions, marriage or divorce can automatically revoke parts or the entirety of a will. This is to account for changes in family circumstances.

5. Revocation by operation of law: Certain life events, such as the birth of a child, might revoke or invalidate certain provisions in a will if they are not updated to reflect the new situation.