SPONSORED CONTENT
Attorney Marielle Hazen Discusses Wills on WITF’s The Spark
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – On The Spark, Ms. Hazen and the hosts discussed the recent case of Aretha Franklin’s will. After Franklin died in 2018, a handwritten will was discovered in a couch cushion. After several years of efforts to determine how her estate would be handled, a Michigan jury determined that the will found in the couch cushion was valid under state law – and that its terms controlled the administration of Ms. Franklin’s estate.
In Michigan, handwritten or “holographic” wills are exempt from some requirements that apply to other wills, such as the need for at least two witnesses to attest to the signing of the will. This makes handwritten wills appealing to some people who may be seeking a way to create a will that doesn’t require extra steps.
Yet these wills can cause problems later on, Ms. Hazen told the team at The Spark.
“It’s not the way you want to have your estate handled. And it’s not good for anybody involved. That family. It’s been a long journey for them, and it’s not good for those family relationships going forward. So, certainly not the legacy that you want to leave for your family. And it also means that you have a court working to interpret what your intentions were instead of you making those intentions clear yourself,” Ms. Hazen said at WITF.
Ms. Hazen also explained some key differences between Pennsylvania law regarding wills and estates and the rules in other US states. She outlined the basics of creating a will, as well. She listed several topics that every creator of a will must consider, from how to distribute your things when you die to who you may need to provide for, such as children or a spouse, after your death.
Since a person’s needs change throughout their life, a will should be updated to reflect those changes.
Hazen Law Group’s elder law and estate planning attorneys are widely regarded as leaders in planning for seniors and disabled individuals. Their attorneys will take the time to listen carefully to concerns and develop solutions that address them.
Hazen Law Group
2000 Linglestown Road, Suite 202
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 540-4332
https://www.hazenlawgroup.com/
Press Contact : Media Contact
Distributed by Law Firm Newswire
This story is published through a partnership with Law Firm Newswire. The editorial staff of Bigger Law Firm Magazine did not contribute to this article. The views expressed are solely those of the source of the news release and do not reflect the views of Law Firm Newswire or Bigger Law Firm Magazine. Questions related to this story should be directed to the media contact referenced in the article.
LATEST STORIES
MORE STORIES
Google’s March 2024 Broad Core Update is Fighting Spam and Deleting Low Quality Content
Google has long been the go-to search engine for billions of users worldwide, serving as a bridge between users and the vast ocean of information available on the web. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the integrity and quality of search results, Google has continually evolved its search algorithms and policies to combat spam and low-quality…
Insider Trading Case Highlights Work-From-Home Risks for Lawyers
The recent insider trading charge against the husband of a BP employee, who allegedly capitalized on confidential information overheard during his wife’s work-from-home scenario, casts a spotlight on the burgeoning confidentiality risks in remote work settings. Tyler Loudon, the spouse of a BP employee, faces insider trading charges in the U.S. for allegedly using confidential…
How to Get Local News Outlets to Cover Your Law Firm’s Big Case
Reaching out to local news outlets is a strategic move for law firm marketing directors aiming to enhance their firm’s visibility and establish its members as thought leaders in their practice areas. This article will guide law firm marketing directors through the process of engaging local news outlets to cover new cases, offering practical advice…