> How can I write a quick temporary will?

How can I write a quick temporary will?

Posted at: 2014-12-08 
We are going away on vacation in a few days and spaced writing a will. We have to businesses, three vehicles and a house, as well as pets that we want taken care of if something were

use a template from any online source and hit most of the major areas that you want covered in a will - sign it, have someone witness it and sign it, then certify mail it through the USPS (it *has* to be certified, and only the USPS has the recognized legal garauntees) to your home address. DO NOT OPEN IT OR ALTER THE ENVELOPE. Put it in a protective envelope or folder or something and give that envelope to a trusted person (or your lawyer) to hold - on that protective evelope/folder have the instructions clearly state that this letter can only be opened in the presense of an attourney (if it is not opened in a lawyer's presense it loses most, if not all, validity as a will).

*if* you don't have the time to recieve that letter and deliver it to a trusted person then have that trusted person retrieve (or notify them that it *should* be there if you die before you get back) the envelope from your mailbox and explain to them the above (do not open, need lawyer present, etc.).

This should stand in for an 'official' Last Will in most cases - consider it a temporary placeholder until you can get a 'proper' Last Will and Testament done.

Is someone likely to contest your wishes? Are your directives highly unusual? If not all you really have to do is write a letter spelling out your directives, get a friend or notary to counter sign it and file it away. Probate courts will take most anything written down to keep from declaring your affairs intestate.

You have "to" businesses?

Time to call your lawyer as drafting a will may be beyond your abilities. Or, draft something simple like "All my stuff goes to my brother Steve" and get the document notarized. Then, send it by certified mail back to yourself. Maintain the packet (don't open it) to have a proof of the date.

Or, if you really have two businesses, you can call your attorney.

We are going away on vacation in a few days and spaced writing a will. We have to businesses, three vehicles and a house, as well as pets that we want taken care of if something were