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A lawyer may be called upon to prepare wills for several family members, such as husband and wife, and, depending upon the circumstances, a conflict of interest may arise.

There is an exception, however, for attorneys who are already related by blood, marriage or civil partnership to the person making the will. ... If your son is an attorney and drafts a will for you where he's a beneficiary, that would be valid under California law.

Generally, to be valid in California, the document must be in writing and signed by the testator, or the person making the document, and two witnesses. A last will and testament is a legal instrument that allows you to distribute property after your death to the people and organizations of your choosing.

Under California law, there is no requirement that a will must be notarized in order to be valid.

"A lawyer shall not prepare an instrument giving the lawyer or a person related to the lawyer as parent, child, sibling, or spouse any substantial gift from a client, including a testamentary gift, except when the client is related to the donee." Substantial is defined as: "Substantial when used in reference to degree ...

In California, if the dispositive provisions of the will are written in the testator's handwriting, and signed and dated by the testator who is at least 18 years old and of sound mind, then the will is valid. There is no requirement that the will be notarized or that witnesses be present and also sign the will.

Notarization is not required in California to make your will legal. ... As long as you sign and witness your will correctly, your will does not have to be proved to the probate court, and there's no need to make a self-proving affidavit.

A handwritten will is also known as a holographic will in California. Under California Probate Code Section 6111, a handwritten will may be valid in California if the signature and material provisions of the will are in the handwriting of the person making the will.

Generally, to be valid in California, the document must be in writing and signed by the testator, or the person making the document, and two witnesses. A last will and testament is a legal instrument that allows you to distribute property after your death to the people and organizations of your choosing.

I explained that California law requires filing the original will in the probate court. However, if a will is lost we can file a petition for admittance of a lost will. I assured her I do this all the time. I explained that I would send her an email with the initial probate documents and a FedEx return label.

Generally, to be valid in California, the document must be in writing and signed by the testator, or the person making the document, and two witnesses. A last will and testament is a legal instrument that allows you to distribute property after your death to the people and organizations of your choosing.

Except for wills drafted by an attorney on behalf of their spouse, it is a conflict of interest for an attorney to draft a will and name themselves as beneficiary...