Living Will Attorney

Death certificates are official records of death and include basic information including the full name of the deceased, the date, month, and year of death, place of death, and age of deceased at the time of death, sex and race of the deceased and other vital statistics.

There are two different types of this certificate, a certified copy, and an informational copy. Certified copies can be used for official purposes, like identification, but only authorized persons may obtain them. These documents bear the raised seal of the issuing state, the signature of the State Registrar, and are usually printed on security paper. These are official records of death, and are commonly needed to settle property disputes, insurance claims, and estate claims.

While regulations and rules vary by state, generally the only persons authorized to obtain certified death certificate copies are spouses, parents, siblings, children, or grandparents of the person on record. In some states, like Wisconsin, for example, a person who has been authorized in writing by one of these parties can also obtain a certified copy, as can a person who can prove that this record is needed to protect personal or property rights. Many states require a copy of the applicants photo ID before they will issue a certified copy, and some states, like Pennsylvania, require additional information, including the security code found on the back of the applicants credit or bank issued debit card.

Non certified or informational copies of death certificates are easier to obtain, and contain most if not all of the information found in certified death certificate copies. In most states, anyone who requests these documents is entitled to receive them. The difference is that that informational copies cannot be used for legal purposes, including identification, insurance or estate claims, or other related matters, and are not considered legal documents.

When considering which type of certificate you should obtain, take into account your reasons for obtaining it. If you simply want to have a record of the death of an individual, then an informational, or non certified copy may be your best option, particularly if you are not directly related to the deceased. If, on the other hand, you need a copy for identification purposes or to help settle legal issues, you should procure a certified copy. Either way, there are many sites online that can do your research for you, and send your certificate directly to your door, provided that you meet the requirements for eligibility and send in all of the required information.

Simply follow these steps to make sure that your last will and testament is legally binding. You can also purchase last will and testament forms that you simply fill in. But if you want a free last will and testament, follow these steps.

At the top of the will, you’ll need to identify yourself. You want to put enough information so that there’s no question about who you are. List your full name and maiden name, your social security number, birth date, and current address. This way, there can be no question that this is your will and not someone else’s.

In the first paragraph, you need to:

State that this is your last will and testament.

State that you are revoking any other wills or codicils that were previously made. Even if you didn’t make any, make sure to include this statement. Otherwise, there may be delays in processing your will while the lawyers look for an older one.

State that you’re of sound mind and under no duress when writing your will. In the second paragraph, list your spouse and children. If your children are under 18 and you have no spouse, you will need to designate someone to take care of them. It’s a good idea to ask your designated person first!

In the third paragraph, appoint an Executor for your estate. This person will handle your estate, including paying off your debts and funeral costs and disposing of any property that you don’t otherwise bequeath. The funds will be divided among your beneficiaries. States have varying requirements for who is qualified to be an Executor. In most cases, he or she needs to be a resident of the state and age 18 or older, but it’s a good idea to check your state’s laws to make sure that your choice is legal. You can also designate a payment to be made to the Executor if you wish.

List the people you want to give to and the percentage of the money they should receive. Make sure to fully identify the person; there are a lot of Mary Smiths in the world. Make sure that the percentages add up to 100%.

Designate a person to receive any other assets remaining in the estate. This way, you insure that everything has a home.

The laws on last will and testament signatures vary depending on the state, so check on that too. Generally, you’ll have to sign in the presence of two witnesses and a notary
republic. These people can’t be related to you, and they can’t be listed in the will. They should also be at least age 18.

Carefully store the will, and give a copy to your Executor to make it as easy as possible for them to do their job.

By following these steps carefully, you should have a valid last will and testament. However, these recommendations are not to be taken as legal advice, and you may want to consult a lawyer if you have special circumstances not covered in the above tips.