Types of wills considered valid in North Carolina

People who live in North Carolina should be aware of the requirements for wills in this state. Your will is the key to ensuring that your assets go to who you want them to go to and so that you can do as much as possible to take care of them. If you don’t comply with the required elements, your will can be considered invalid by the courts, which would mean that your belongings would be distributed according to the intestate laws in this state.

In order to write a will in North Carolina, you must be of sound mind. This means that you know what you are doing and that you understand how it affects your estate and the individuals named in the will. You also have to be at least 18 years old.

Your typed will must be witnessed by two people. They don’t have to sign in front of each other, but they each must sign in front of you. They need to be able to attest to the fact that the contents of the will are what you wanted to happen.

North Carolina does accept handwritten wills as long as they are written in the testator’s handwriting. It must be found with valuable documents or in a safe place. You don’t need a witness if you do choose this option for creating your will.

It is also possible to have a verbal will; however, this is only possible if a person is on their deathbed. These can be difficult to prove and might be more likely to be contested so think carefully before choosing this option.

Remember that your will is only one of the components that can complete your estate plan. You should learn about the other documents and options that might be necessary to make your wishes happen.