Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

I had a will prepared by an attorney eight years ago. There are some changes I would like to make, do I need to see an attorney again? If I write my wishes down and get it notarized, would that be considered the same legal document as if an attorney prepared it? I don't want my children to have any problems when the time comes. Thank you.


Asked on 5/30/12, 11:36 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jonathan Chester The Law Office of Jonathan S. Chester, Esq., LLC

My recommendation: Spend a little money now having an attorney prepare the correct document, making sure it is property signed, witnessed and notarized.

If you try to "do it yourself" the chance of doing it incorrectly is huge. You will not save any money...Most likely, your estate [children] will end up spending many, many times more to correct the problem than you will ever spend to do it the right way in the first place.

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Answered on 5/30/12, 11:43 am
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

You can do a handwritten Codicil (amendement to a Will), but again unless it is done correctly it may not be itself not be good and it may negate the legitimacy of the original Will. I agree with Jon that paying a small fee to an attorney might be worthwhile and save money in the long run.

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Answered on 6/02/12, 11:21 am


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