Monday, November 5, 2007

Common Questions Asked About Last Will Forms

WHAT IS A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT? A Last Will and Testament controls the distribution of your property at death and you may give some one you trust guardianship over your children after your death. No property is transferred or effects will take place, a will is not effective as long as you’re living.

CAN MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT BE CHANGED? Yes. Changes to a will are made by simply making a new will and destroying the old one. Or you can just add on to your will with a "Codicil".

A Codicil is a legal document that must be signed and executed in the same way you executed your will. This is where downloadable, printable legal form websites will help you quickly draw up a new will or add to it. The best practice to use is to consult an attorney about changes to your will you want if you are afraid to make the original will invalid.

WHAT IS MY LEGAL RESIDENCE? Your legal residence is the state where you’re true fixed and permanent home, a place where if you’re temporarily absent you will return.

IS MY LEGAL RESIDENCE IMPORTANT WITH REGARD TO MY WILL? Yes. Your legal residence may affect which state you have to file your will in and the amount of state inheritance or estate tax that may be paid at death.

WHAT IS MY ESTATE? Your estate consists of all of your property, personal belongings, and cash which you own. You can also list things you are entitled to own at the time of your death. Your estate should also include your insurance policy and who is the primary, or even secondary beneficiary. You may also wish to divide your estate among several persons.

WHAT IS A BENEFICIARY? A beneficiary is the person whom you will leave your estate too. You may leave all your property to one single beneficiary or you can divide your estate among several people.

WHAT IS A SECONDARY BENEFICIARY? Those who will inherit your property if your primary beneficiary dies before your death. You can keep the chain going and include as many third beneficiaries, fourth, fifth, and so on.

CAN I DISPOSE OF MY PROPERTY IN ANY WAY? Yes, but not exactly in all states. Some states require that a married person give their spouse some part of their estate. Plus your guardianship should be chosen with great care because this person will be charged with the duty of raising your children and managing their legal affairs.

SHOULD I NAME A GUARDIAN FOR MY CHILDREN IN MY WILL? Yes. A guardian should be named in a will. This will ensure that your children and their portion of your estate is cared for and protected in case both parents die.

WHAT IS AN EXECUTOR? An executor or executrix (if female) a so-called "personal representative" is the person who will manage and settle your estate according to the will. You should also consider naming a substitute executor in the event that the named executor fails to act as the executor of your estate.

WHAT IS PROBATE? A court procedure where a will is proved valid or invalid. Probate proceedings will also finalize your estate, taxes and guardianship of your children.

HOW LONG IS A WILL VALID? An executed and properly drawn will is valid until you change it or it is revoked. However new tax laws, marriage, birth of children, and sometimes a substantial change in property/assets can determine whether your will is adequate and your property/assets will pass in the manner you chose.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T MAKE A WILL? You have no say in how your property is divided.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PROPERTY HELD IN THE NAMES OF BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE? Joint bank accounts and real property held in both names usually get passed to the survivor and NOT by the deceased's will, depending on your states laws.



http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Common-Questions-Asked-About-Last-Will-Forms/34672

What is the Green Card Lottery About?

The green card lottery is where the Department of State annually awards green cards to immigrants. This is a lottery that is done by a random computer selection. The technical term for it is the Diversity Visa program. The people that conform to the rules and learn to speak English will be able to enter the lottery program.

This is a great way for people that want to become residents of the United States without having to wait for many years. The immigrants that want to apply will have to obtain an application so that they can fill out the necessary paperwork in order to become a legal candidate for this program. This is a once in a lifetime chance for a lot of people and they will take the opportunity very seriously.

You can find the application for this green card lottery online. There are many federal websites that will help people obtain the applications so that they can get a head start on applying for this great program. Once the application is filled out and sent in, it will have to be reviewed. Once the government approves it, that applicant will then be placed in the lottery. There are no paper entries allowed anymore. It all has to be done online or electronic.

There are 50,000 green cards that are given out to many immigrants from all over. These people have complied with all of the rules and taken the time to do all paperwork and make themselves eligible for the program. The individuals that apply must have a high school diploma and two years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.

Each applicant is limited to one application in the green card lottery. If there is more than one application received, the individual will be disqualified. It is important to follow the instructions and the rules completely. There are so many qualified people that are thrown out of the green card program each year because of the multiple applications that are submitted.

If qualified a husband and a wife may apply to the green card lottery. They may each submit one application and it either is selected into the lottery the other would be entitled to derivative status. This will allow both of them to be entered into the United States. All of the entries must include the name, date and place of birth of the applicant’s spouse and all natural children.

This is an opportunity that you have to sign up for early in the game or you may miss your chance for approval. It is something that most people only dream about and knowing that there is the green card lottery leaves hope in the minds of many people that they will one day be allowed the same freedom of living in the United States.


http://www.articlefrenzy.com/Article/What-is-the-Green-Card-Lottery-About-/18221