Attractive What Is The First Thing An Executor Of A Will Should Do is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. What does an estate attorney cost? Thus, an attorney can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000 dollars, depending on the circumstances. This also may vary depending on whether or not the cost includes the necessary filing fee, which is provided by the local court. Therefore, estate planning costs are generally unique to the individual and their situation. Does a living trust protect assets from nursing home? A revocable living trust will not protect your assets from a nursing home. This is because the assets in a revocable trust are still under the control of the owner. To shield your assets from the spend-down before you qualify for Medicaid, you will need to create an irrevocable trust. Worthless San Diego Probate Will is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. (858) 278-2800 Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in La Jolla? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in La Jolla. Horrible Probate Attorneys is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. How do you cash a deceased person’s bank account? After your death (and not before), the beneficiary can claim the money by going to the bank with a death certificate and identification. Your beneficiary designation form will be on file at the bank, so the bank will know that it has legal authority to hand over the funds. Magical Probate Lawyer San Diego is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Do you need both a will and a living trust? Steve Bliss with The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. answers estate planning questions. At what age should you put your assets in a trust? While you can select any age as the end-date for the trust, age 18 is a minimum because children younger than that are not legally permitted to control their own property. A reasonable maximum age would probably be in the early to mid-30’s. Negative Best Probate Attorney is ( +18582782800 ) How early should you start estate planning? Many financial advisors would recommend starting an Estate Plan the moment you become a legal adult, and updating it every three to five years after that. Disappointed Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in San Elijo Hills? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Probate Attorney in San Elijo Hills. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in La Jolla? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in La Jolla. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +1 (858) 278-2800 ). Do beneficiaries have to pay taxes on inheritance? Generally, when you inherit money it is tax-free to you as a beneficiary. This is because any income received by a deceased person prior to their death is taxed on their own final individual return, so it is not taxed again when it is passed on to you. It may also be taxed to the deceased person’s estate. Can I have both revocable and irrevocable trust? Yes, many people should have both irrevocable and revocable trusts. Therefore, you should transfer some of your assets into the revocable trust and other assets into the irrevocable trust. What happens when you sell a house that is in a trust? When selling a house in a trust, you have two options you can either have the trustee perform the sale of the home, and the proceeds will become part of the trust, or the trustee can transfer the title of the property to your name, and you can sell the property as you would your own home. At what age should you do estate planning? When should I create an estate plan in California? In most states, you can begin estate planning as soon as you turn 18 and it is a great idea to begin early on. Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your hard-earned assets. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Mission Valley? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Mission Valley. Can I withdraw money from a deceased person’s bank account? Withdrawing money from a bank account after death is illegal, if you are not a joint owner of the bank account. The penalty for using a dead person’s credit card can be significant. The court can discharge the executor and replace them with someone else, force them to return the money and take away their commissions. Estate Lawyers is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 What happens if no one wants to pay for a funeral? What Happens if You Can’t Pay for a Funeral? If your estate does not have enough money to cover the costs of your final arrangements, your executor will look to your relatives to pay these bills. If your relatives cannot decide how to pay for them, a probate judge may decide for them.
San Diego Probate Attorney 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd a202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
San Deigo Probate Lawyer 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd a202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
Estate Lawyer San Diego 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd a202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
Estate Attorney San Diego 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd a202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
Durable San Diego Estate Attorney
Superb Estate Lawyer Near Me is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. What should I put in a trust? Cash Accounts. Rafe Swan / Getty Images. Non-Retirement Investment and Brokerage Accounts. Non-qualified Annuities. Stocks and Bonds Held in Certificate Form. Tangible Personal Property. Business Interests. Life Insurance. Monies Owed to You. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Santee? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Santee. Are family trusts worth it? Family trusts can also be useful in estate planning if you want to avoid probate for your family. So transferring assets to a family trust can make life much easier for your family in this way. You can use a family trust to insulate assets from creditors in the event that you’re sued. Superb What are the tax goals of estate planning? These goals often include minimizing estate tax liability, succession of the family business or farm, equitable distribution of property among family members, donation to one or more charities, and ensuring the financial security of a surviving spouse. Agricultural estate planning can be especially complex. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Gaslamp? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Gaslamp. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +18582782800 ). Good What Is The First Thing An Executor Of A Will Should Do is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Little Italy? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Probate Attorney in Little Italy. Do beneficiaries have to pay taxes on inheritance? Generally, when you inherit money it is tax-free to you as a beneficiary. This is because any income received by a deceased person prior to their death is taxed on their own final individual return, so it is not taxed again when it is passed on to you. It may also be taxed to the deceased person’s estate. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Poway? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Poway. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Gaslamp? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Gaslamp. Who pays property taxes in an irrevocable trust? If you are the beneficiary of the Irrevocable Trust, then you own the home and can deduct the taxes. If the property taxes were, in fact, paid by the irrevocable trust, then certainly, the trust can take a deduction for taxes paid on its Form 1041 tax return. How many copies of a will should be signed? There should only be one original of the will for everyone to sign. It is a good idea to sign the original in blue ink, so that it is easily distinguishable from the photocopies. Do not sign any photocopies, as this will create duplicate originals which can be difficult to administer. Do all executors have to agree? Yes, otherwise the administration of the Estate can’t continue. All the named Executors have to reach some form of agreement so the Probate process can go ahead. But it isn’t always that simple and Executors can sadly disagree on a number of things, or face other challenges that slow the process down. Honest What Does Probate Mean is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq.
3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Little Italy? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Little Italy. Disappointed Estate Lawyer San Diego is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Ocean Beach? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Ocean Beach. Magical Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Imperial Beach? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Imperial Beach. Are bank accounts frozen when someone dies? Once a bank has been notified of a death it will freeze that account. This means that no one including a person who holds Power of Attorney can withdraw the money from that account. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +18582782800 ). Can I put half my house in trust? In a community property state, if the deed says the property is owned “as husband and wife,” that means community property. If either of you owns real estate with someone else, you can transfer just your interest in it to your living trust. You won’t need to specify that your share is one-half or some other fraction. What happens when someone dies with a will? When someone dies leaving a will, the executor of the will becomes responsible for administering the assets of the deceased. The deceased individual, through his will, appoints one or more individuals to serve as executor.
Probate Attorney 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
San Diego Probate Attorney 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
Confused Probate A Will
Quality Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Mission Hills? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Mission Hills. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Carlsbad? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Carlsbad. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +18582782800 ). Missing San Diego Estate Lawyer is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +1 (858) 278-2800 ) What does putting your property in trust mean? A trust is a legal arrangement where you give cash, property or investments to someone else so they can look after them for the benefit of a third person. For example, you might put some of your savings aside in a trust for your children. The assets held in trust are held for the beneficiary’s benefit. Who has legal title to the assets in a trust? A trust is created by a settlor, who transfers title to some or all of his or her property to a trustee, who then holds title to that property in trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Carmel Mountain Ranch? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Carmel Mountain Ranch. Disappointed Probate Lawyer Near Me is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Cortez? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Cortez. What are the most important estate planning documents? A Last Will and Testament. When it comes to estate planning, having a last will and testament is likely the first thing that will come to mind. A Document Granting Power of Attorney. An Advance Medical Directive. Revocable Living Trust. Broken What is the purpose of estate planning? Specifically, estate planning allows an individual to decide exactly who will benefit from their estate, and to what extent. Estate planning also ensures that the estate will not be destroyed by taxes imposed on the transfer of assets at death. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Encinitas? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Encinitas. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123. Friendly What should I put in a trust? Cash Accounts. Rafe Swan / Getty Images. Non-Retirement Investment and Brokerage Accounts. Non-qualified Annuities. Stocks and Bonds Held in Certificate Form. Tangible Personal Property. Business Interests. Life Insurance. Monies Owed to You. Where should I keep my will? A Will can be stored in your home in a personal safe, a locked filing cabinet, or in another safe location. If you store your Will in a location that requires a combination, password, or key for entry, be sure to share that information with someone you trust, such as your spouse, your adult children, or your attorney. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. (858) 278-2800. Probate Law is Can you use a deceased person’s bank account to pay for their funeral? Paying Funeral Costs from the Estate If the deceased’s bank account was held in their sole name, it will be frozen as soon as the bank is notified of the death. After these have been paid, the funeral expenses can be paid. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Imperial Beach? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Probate Attorney in Imperial Beach. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Spring Valley? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Probate Attorney in Spring Valley. Estate Attorney is Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Del Cerro? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Del Cerro. How much does a bank charge to manage a trust? An all-in fee will start between 1% and 2%, and usually covers the trust’s investment manager, fiduciary and trust administration, and record-keeping and disbursements, but typically not asset-management fees. So, you might pay $30,000 to $50,000 a year on a $3 million trust. What is property held in a living trust? Trust property refers to assets that have been placed into a fiduciary relationship between a trustor and trustee for a designated beneficiary. Trust property may include any type of asset, including cash, securities, real estate, or life insurance policies. Exclusive When should you start a will? Turning 18. When you have accumulated some money or other assets. When you get married (or divorced or remarried). When you have children (and again when they become adults). After you start a business. Buying a home. It’s been a while. Who in San Diego, CA. is a good living trust lawyer? The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. can handle your living trust needs. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. ( +18582782800 ).
Probate Attorney 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
San Diego Probate Attorney 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 278-2800 |
The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123 +18582782800 |
Brilliant Estate Lawyer
Probate Properties is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq.
3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a San Diego Probate Attorney. Good What Is The First Thing An Executor Of A Will Should Do is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. What does putting your property in trust mean? A trust is a legal arrangement where you give cash, property or investments to someone else so they can look after them for the benefit of a third person. For example, you might put some of your savings aside in a trust for your children. The assets held in trust are held for the beneficiary’s benefit. Who owns the property in a trust? Steve Bliss with The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. answers estate planning questions. What if there is not enough money in estate to pay creditors? If the estate does not have enough money to pay back all the debt, creditors are out of luck. If an executor pays out beneficiaries from an estate before all the debts are settled, creditors could make a claim against that person personally. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in San Carlos? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in San Carlos. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a San Diego Probate Attorney. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in Core? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Core. How do you organize information in case of death? Will. Living trust. Power of attorney. Life insurance policy. Birth certificate. Marriage license. Bank and credit card accounts. Loan documents. Can I write my own will? Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to have an attorney draft a will for you. Anyone can write this document on their own, and as long as it meets all of the legal requirements of the state, courts will recognize one you wrote yourself. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Marina district? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Marina District. When a husband dies what is the wife entitled to? Upon one partner’s death, the surviving spouse may receive up to one-half of the community property. If there is no will or trust, then surviving spouses may also inherit the other half of the community property, and take up to one-half of the deceased spouse’s separate property. Courteous Will Not Probated is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Pacific Beach? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Pacific Beach. Can I sell a house in a revocable trust? Selling Property in a Revocable Trust As the grantor, you can sell properties in a revocable trust the same way you would sell any other property titled in your own name. You can take the property out of the trust and retitle it in your name, but that isn’t necessary. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Santaluz? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Santaluz. Do you have to pay taxes on money inherited from a trust? If you inherit from a simple trust, you must report and pay taxes on the money. By definition, anything you receive from a simple trust is income earned by it during that tax year. Any portion of the money that derives from the trust’s capital gains is capital income, and this is taxable to the trust. Are bank accounts considered residuary estate? Similarly, any assets that are meant to transfer directly to a beneficiary after you die, like a life insurance payout or a payable-on-death bank account, can become part of the residuary estate when there are no named beneficiaries. At what net worth do I need a trust? If you have a net worth of at least $100,000 and have a substantial amount of assets in real estate, or have very specific instructions on how and when you want your estate to be distributed among your heirs after you die, then a trust could be for you. What are the most important estate planning components? THE WILL. The first and well-known component of an estate plan is a will. TRUSTS. POWER OF ATTORNEY. HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS. REGULAR REVIEW AND REVISION. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Coronado? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Coronado. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Rancho Santa Fe? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Rancho Santa Fe. What are the disadvantages of putting your house in a trust? Potential Disadvantages Even modest bank or investment accounts named in a valid trust must go through the probate process. Also, after you die, your estate may face more expense, as the trust must file tax returns and value assets, potentially negating the cost savings of avoiding probate. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Tierrasanta? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Tierrasanta. How early should you start estate planning? Many financial advisors would recommend starting an Estate Plan the moment you become a legal adult, and updating it every three to five years after that. What is included in someone’s estate? An estate is everything comprising the net worth of an individual, including all land and real estate, possessions, financial securities, cash, and other assets that the individual owns or has a controlling interest in. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in Rancho Bernardo? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Probate Attorney in Rancho Bernardo. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in San Carlos? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in San Carlos. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Marina district? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Probate Attorney in Marina District. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in San Marcos? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in San Marcos.
Quirky Probate Attorney
Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in Alpine? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Probate Attorney in Alpine. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in San Carlos? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in San Carlos. What Exactly Is Probate is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. (858) 278-2800 Can property with a mortgage be put in a trust? Yes, you can place real property with a mortgage into a revocable living trust. That is, in fact, quite common. But transferring real property into the trust does not change your obligation to continue to pay the mortgage if you don’t pay, they can still take back the house. Is estate planning the same as a will? An estate plan is a comprehensive plan that includes documents that are effective during your lifetime as well as other documents that aren’t in effect until your death. A will details where you want your assets to go at your death, and who you would like to serve as guardian of your minor children. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Santee? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Santee. Should I put my house in an irrevocable trust? Inheritance Advantages Putting your house in an irrevocable trust removes it from your estate, reveals NOLO. Unlike placing assets in an revocable trust, your house is safe from creditors and from estate tax. When you die, your share of the house goes to the trust so your spouse never takes legal ownership. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. work in University City? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Probate Attorney in University City. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a San Diego Probate Attorney. Easy-Going San Diego Probate Lawyer is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Carlsbad? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Carlsbad. Can I withdraw money from a deceased person’s bank account? Withdrawing money from a bank account after death is illegal, if you are not a joint owner of the bank account. The penalty for using a dead person’s credit card can be significant. The court can discharge the executor and replace them with someone else, force them to return the money and take away their commissions. Negative What happens to bank account when someone dies? Closing a bank account after someone dies The bank will freeze the account. The executor or administrator will need to ask for the funds to be released the time it takes to do this will vary depending on the amount of money in the account. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Columbia? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Columbia. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq.
3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123Fancy Estate Lawyer Near Me is The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. What are the three levels of trust? Level 1: Governance and Rules-Based Trust. Level 2: Experience and Confidence-Based Trust. Level 3: Established and vulnerability-based trust. What happens if no one wants to pay for a funeral? What Happens if You Can’t Pay for a Funeral? If your estate does not have enough money to cover the costs of your final arrangements, your executor will look to your relatives to pay these bills. If your relatives cannot decide how to pay for them, a probate judge may decide for them. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Ramona? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is the Best Estate Attorney in Ramona. Do you have to be a lawyer to do estate planning? Candidates must be or have the following: Licensed to practice law as an attorney, to practice as a CPA, or be currently designated as a chartered life underwriter (CLU), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), certified financial planner (CFP), or certified trust and fiduciary advisor (CTFA), among others. Will banks release money without Probate? In California, you can add a “payable-on-death” (POD) designation to bank accounts such as savings accounts or certificates of deposit. At your death, the beneficiary can claim the money directly from the bank without probate court proceedings. What happens when you sell a house that is in a trust? When selling a house in a trust, you have two options you can either have the trustee perform the sale of the home, and the proceeds will become part of the trust, or the trustee can transfer the title of the property to your name, and you can sell the property as you would your own home. Does The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. help with Probate and work in Rancho Bernardo? Yes, The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. in an Estate Attorney in Rancho Bernardo. Who notifies the bank when someone dies? When an account holder dies, the next of kin must notify their banks of the death. The bank may require other documents, including court-issued letters testamentary or letters of administration naming an executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. Do you need a lawyer to make a will? No, you aren’t required to hire a lawyer to prepare your will, though an experienced lawyer can provide useful advice on estate-planning strategies such as living trusts. Your state’s departments of aging also might be able to direct you to free or low-cost resources for estate planning. Do you need both a will and a living trust? Steve Bliss with The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. answers estate planning questions.