Q: What are my legal options with a signed will for a dog and home?
I've recently lost a friend who left me a small will a few years ago, bequeathing his dog and home to me. The will is signed and dated by him, as well as by a witness, but it is not notarized. I don't believe he has any immediate relatives, and I am not aware of any other formal wills. I have not started any legal process or probate, nor have I contacted any legal representatives or executors of his estate. The property, to my knowledge, is solely in his name. What are my options moving forward?
A: I am very sorry for your loss of your friend, please accept my condolences. You will need to have a probate attorney look at the Will in order to determine if it is valid and enforceable, generally it will need to have two witnesses and the signature of the testator (the deceased). The property deed will also need to be reviewed, based on how the property is held my matter as well or determine ownership. Your starting point would be a probate and to get a probate done, so getting any of the above specifics together will help, but the probate attorney can help as well with the deed and death certificate without cause of death if you have not secured or have copies of those items.
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