You dead yet? Well, Alabama is waiting around like in a movie scene where they read the will … except you don’t have a will. Know what happens? The state of Alabama has written one for you, and you might not like what it says.
Really, you think the Alabama legislature knows better what to do with your earthly possessions than you do?
I feel so strongly about this that I will write a will for you right here in my office.
OK, let’s talk about you not being around anymore.
First, don’t put your loved ones through a fight that can be avoided. If you care for your family and friends, create a document that spells out your wishes and what to do with your assets. If you don’t do it, they will have to … and you will be both dead and lazy.
I have heard people say, “Well, I don’t have anything, so it doesn’t matter,” or “My kids know to share and share alike,” and even, “I won’t be here, so why should I care?” Let me tell you that I have seen grown men almost destroy a family over who gets the lawn mower.
You can write your own will, but I can almost guarantee you will mess up something. A friend told me of his uncle, who changed his will and disinherited his nephews. However, he got only one person to sign it, and Alabama says YOU NEED TWO. The property went to the nephews.
A few things about an Alabama will:
- Must be signed.
- Must be written (there is an old piece of law that lets mariners and some military do an oral will, but that is a fight waiting to happen).
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be “of sound mind” (yes, that part is real).
- Must be witnessed by 2 people.
There is so much more.
I focus on helping injured people and see what happens when the unexpected suddenly becomes reality. Get your papers in order. Do it now. You don’t know where life … or death … will lead.
I have tried to keep this light, but this is serious business. Really, do you want the Alabama legislature to decide for you?
If you are injured in a personal injury accident, you can talk to us at the law firm of Steele Ritchie for free. We genuinely want to help. We are local attorneys with decades of experience helping people, especially in the southwest Mobile area.
Give us a call at (251) 666-1212. We are proud to be called the “personal injury lawyers near me” by many people here in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
Allen Ritchie
Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer