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, or any of its surrounding areas, the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro, P.C. may be able to assist you in doing so. We concentrate on trust and estate administration so we are familiar with all types of wills and all aspects involved in writing them.

Why choose attorney David A. Shapiro?

When choosing a Los Angeles trust lawyer to handle your estate matters, you're going to want someone with years of experience and superior credentials. Attorney David A. Shapiro is actively engaged in not one, but numerous professional legal organizations which pertain to estates and trusts.

His credentials speak for themselves, continue reading below to see why you should choose attorney David A. Shapiro to represent you:

• David A. Shapiro is a certified specialist in estate litigation, trust & probate law by the California State Bar
• He is an active member of the Trust and Estates Sections of the California State Bar
• Attorney Shapiro is a serving member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Estate Planning Council
• David A. Shapiro is on several committees of the America Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
• We gladly offer free case evaluations.

Since there are many requirements associated with executing a will in California, it's a wise idea to have your will prepared by a competent lawyer such as David A. Shapiro. Attorney Shapiro will see to it that you execute the most appropriate will and he will ensure that it conforms to California law. He can make suggestions and help you understand the different ways that assets can be transferred for the benefit of your beneficiaries. He can also help you develop a complete estate plan and offer alternatives that may save taxes. This kind of strategic planning is extremely helpful and economical in the long run.

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 knowledgeable Los Angeles wills lawyer.