Related Practice Areas: Estate Planning Tax Trusts

Nearby Cities: Pontiac Rochester Lake Orion Waterford Bloomfield Hills

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Top Auburn Hills, MI Wills Lawyers Near You

Auburn Hills Wills Information

Did a Loved One Leave Only a Holographic Will?

If a loved one left only his or her wishes in a handwritten will, it is considered to be a holographic will and beneficiaries may question whether the will is valid. Consult with an Auburn Hills a holographic wills lawyer who can advise you on the legal requirements for validating a holographic will.

Holographic Will Requirements

A holographic will is a document that is wholly handwritten by the person making the will (the testator) and not signed by witnesses. Holographic wills often are written in moments of emergency, when the testator is facing serious illness or death. Most states require the will to be signed and dated by the testator, but it does not necessarily have to be written on paper.

What sort of issues can I seek legal help with?

Specialized legal help is available for most legal issues. Each case is unique; seeking legal help is a smart first step toward understanding your legal situation and seeking the best path toward resolution for your case. An experienced lawyer understands the local laws surrounding your case and what your best legal options might be. More importantly, there are certain situations and circumstances - such as being charged with a crime - where you should always seek experienced legal help.

Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

  • What is the usual process to resolve my case? How long will it take to resolve this?
  • What are likely outcomes of a case like mine? What should I expect?

An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic "road map" on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you've laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.

How to Find the Right Attorney

  • Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
  • Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
  • Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Personal jurisdiction - Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court's reach in personal jurisdiction.

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