Lately my office has had several incidences of families arriving in the Surrogate Court with a Will that has been purchased at a stationary store or printed out from the internet and “filled in”.  This type of Will appeals to people who feel that their estates are simple and they do not want to spend the money for an attorney.  However, the potential for making costly mistakes is enormous.  Only when the person who “fills in the blanks” dies do those mistakes appear and the family is left to deal with sorting everything out.
 
One of the biggest problems I see is when the maker (testator) wants a certain individual to receive a specific asset, such as a house that has been in the family for decades, but neglects to mention all their  other personal property such as furniture and bank accounts!
 
A Will must be phrased properly to make sure there is no confusion over your true intentions and must be signed by the maker (testator) and two witnesses before a Notary Public.  When a Will fails to follow the laws established by the New Jersey Probate Code it must be sent to Superior Court which requires retaining an attorney as well as court costs.
 
Have your will prepared by a lawyer that you know and in whom you have confidence.  If you do not know a lawyer you can call the Lawyer Referral Service of the Camden County Bar Association at 856-482-0618, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9:30 am and 4 pm.
 
Or…if you are age 60 and over or disabled (any age), and only a simple will is required, plan to attend a free Senior Citizen Legal Workshop at The Mall at Voorhees Town Center sponsored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders.  These workshops enable Camden County residents to acquire, at no cost, a Last Will and Testament, an Advance Directive for Health Care (Living Will), and a Power of Attorney.  To check available times and to register please call 856-566-2920. 
 
WILLS FOR HEROES

As a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or other first responder, volunteer or paid, you protect and save lives.  The Wills for Heroes program provides free wills and other estate planning documents to you, your spouse, domestic partner or civil union partner.  The Rutgers Law Estates and Trust Society, along with other cooperating agencies, is sponsoring this program on Saturday, March 8 from 11 am to 4 pm at Rutgers Law School in Camden.  To select an appointment time go to www.camdencountybar.org.