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Read This First
T
he information in this book is as up to date and accurate as we can make it. But it’s
important to realize that the law changes frequently, as do fees, forms and procedures.
If you handle your own legal matters, it’s up to you to be sure that all information you use—
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5th edition
Nolo’s
Simple
Will Book
by Attorney Denis Clifford
Fifth Edition MAY 2003
Editor SHAE IRVING
Cover Design TONI IHARA
Production MARGARET LIVINGSTON
Illustrations MARI STEIN
CD-ROM Preparation ANDRÉ ZIVKOVICH
Index ELLEN DAVENPORT
Proofreading MU’AFRIDA BELL
Printing CONSOLIDATED PRINTERS, INC.
Clifford, Denis.
Nolo’s simple will book / by Denis Clifford. -- 5th ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-87337-939-x
1. Wills--United States--Popular works. 2. Wills--United States--Forms. I. Title: Simple will
book. II. Title
KF755.Z9C54 2003
346.7305'4--dc21
2001042764
Copyright © 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2003 by Denis Clifford
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Printed in the U.S.A.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to all those friends who helped me put together the 5th edition of Nolo’s
Simple Will Book, and who’ve helped over the years:
First, my Nolo colleagues who worked with me so productively, patiently, cheer-
fully: My current editor Shae Irving, for her superb work, superb mind and her friend-
ship; Mary Randolph and Steve Elias, great editors; Terri Hearsh and Stephanie
Harolde, production (and also great editors); and Ely Newman and André Zivkovich,
my computer gurus.
Next, to all my fellow Noloids, who make this such a special—indeed, unique—
place to work.
Then, to Naomi Puro, Amy Pine, Carol Pladsen, Katherine and Paul Clifford and
Marilyn Putnam.
About the Author
Denis Clifford is a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. He is the author of sev-
eral Nolo books, including Plan Your Estate, Make Your Own Living Trust and The
Partnership Book. A graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was an editor of The
Law Review, he has practiced law in various ways, and is convinced that people can
do much of their own legal work.
Table of Contents
1
Making Your Own Will
A. What a Will Can Do for You .........................................................................1/2
B. Dying Without a Will ....................................................................................1/6
C. The Human Element......................................................................................1/7
D.How to Get the Most From ThisBook ...........................................................1/7
E. Will You Need a Lawyer?..............................................................................1/8
F. A Look at a Basic Will ...................................................................................1/9
2
An Overview of Wills
A. How to Make a Valid Will.............................................................................2/2
B. Types of Wills................................................................................................2/4
C. Explanatory Letters.........................................................................................2/6
D.What Happens to Your Property After You Die..............................................2/8
3
Special Property Rules for Married People
A. CommunityProperty States............................................................................3/4
B. CommonLawStates......................................................................................3/8
C. If You Move to Another State.......................................................................3/11
4
Taking Inventory of Your Property
A. List and Describe Your Property (Column 1)..................................................4/3
B. State How Your Property Is Owned (Column 2).............................................4/5
C. List Your Percentage of SharedProperty (Column 3)......................................4/7
D.Estimate the Net Value of Your Property (Column 4).....................................4/7
5 Your Beneficiaries
A. Types of Beneficiaries....................................................................................5/3
B. Putting Restrictions on Beneficiaries..............................................................5/4
C. Deciding How to Leave YourProperty ..........................................................5/5
D.Naming Beneficiaries to ShareGifts ..............................................................5/8
E. Naming Alternate Beneficiaries ...................................................................5/11
F. Naming Residuary Beneficiaries..................................................................5/13
G.Explaining Your Gifts...................................................................................5/14
H.Survivorship Periods....................................................................................5/16
I. Simultaneous Death.....................................................................................5/16
J. Using the Beneficiary Worksheet.................................................................5/18
K. Disinheritance .............................................................................................5/18
L. Property You No Longer Own at Your Death ..............................................5/20
6
Choosing Your Executor
A. Responsibilities of an Executor ......................................................................6/2
B. How to Choose Your Executor.......................................................................6/4
C. Naming a Successor Executor........................................................................6/8
D.Naming an Executor for AnotherState...........................................................6/8
E. Executor Worksheet.......................................................................................6/9
7
Children
A. Providing for Your MinorChildren ................................................................7/3
B. Custody of Your Minor Child.........................................................................7/3
C. Management of Your Children’s Property......................................................7/8
D.How to Use the Uniform Transfersto Minors Act in YourWill....................7/15
E. How to Create a Family Pot Trust or Child’s Trust.......................................7/16
F. Choosing a Property Guardian.....................................................................7/19
G.Leaving Property to the Children of Others..................................................7/20
