Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California
My relatives and closest friends have died.
So I'm pretty much on my own now. My will specifies
that my assets will to go to charity. But not even sure
who will know or care when I die. Is there a service that I can
hire to make sure the terms of my will are considered and enforced?
2 Answers from Attorneys
If you have a Will only, then your assets will go through Probate and the Executor you choose will be charged with making sure everything is done in accordance with your wishes. You could send the Charity a copy of your Will or notify them so that you are on their radar.
If you have a Trust, then the successor trustee will be responsible for notifying beneficiaries after you have died and making the correct distributions. Again, if the Charity is in the loop then they will be around to see to it that your wishes are carried out.
The important thing to do is to 1) have your will kept for safekeeping at your attorney's office so nobody will cause it to disappear from your home after your death; and 2) make sure your executors, neighbors and friends have your lawyer's business card and know to contact the lawyer after your death.