Estateography

What are the effects of a will during the lifetime of the will-maker?## Wills don't take effect until the death of the testator (i.e., the person who wrote the will). The process that gives a will legal effect is called probate. The probate of a will cannot

Wills are governed by state law, and every state has different rules. This post is about the rules in Virginia. Who Can Make a Will?## Capacity### To make a will, a person must have "capacity." In Virginia, that means the person has to be at least 18 years

Wills let us direct what happens to our possessions when we die. To some extent, they enable us to influence what happens to our children and the recipients of our property after our deaths. Our power to shape the future through our wills is not unlimited, however. The law of

Having a Will vs. Intestacy A will is a legal declaration, usually written, that tells the world how your property should be distributed when you die, who should take care of your minor children, and who should be responsible for handling your final affairs. If you die without a valid

What is an Advance Medical Directive? An Advance Medical Directive is a legal document that states your wishes regarding your health care and/or names another person to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. The document is created and interpreted