Information About Joint and Mutual Wills

Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney for Joint and Mutual Wills

Joint and mutual wills are two types of wills usually written for married couples to ensure their property is disposed of identically. They are closely related terms but joint wills differ substantially from mutual wills.

If you need either one of these wills written and you live in Los Angeles, California or any of its surrounding areas, such as Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood, or others, the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro, a Professional Corporation, may be able to assist you in doing so. We concentrate on estate planning and trust and estate administration so we are familiar with all types of wills and all aspects involved in writing them.

What are Joint Wills?

A joint will is a single document signed and executed by more than one person. This would typically be a husband and wife each leaving all their assets and property to the other. The joint will also delineates what will happen to the assets once the second person dies. It requires the consent of both parties to be revoked. This type of will is written to prevent the survivor, usually a spouse, from changing how the assets or property are distributed after the first party dies.

What are Mutual Wills?

A mutual will is one of two separate wills usually made by spouses but could be made by partners. In these wills, the makers give their estate to one another or provide reciprocal arrangements for the disposal of assets and property when either one of them dies.

There are many types of wills and each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you need help understanding them and making a decision about what is best for you, it's important to seek out the services of a skilled and knowledgeable estate planning lawyer.