(Estate Planners) - The holographic or handwritten will is a “step above” having no will at all. This type of will is considered valid in many states; in fact, in almost thirty states, even a holographic or handwritten will that has not been witnessed is valid. The holographic will must be prepared in the handwriting of the testator. Even in states that recognize the validity of a handwritten will, the laws are very strict and particular.

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(Estate Planners) - ather than die intestate, or without a will, some people choose to create a deathbed will when they realize that their death is imminent. The deathbed will is sometimes called a holographic will. This simply refers to the fact that it is usually handwritten. Regardless of its hasty creation, there are some jurisdictions that will recognize a deathbed will as a binding and valid last will and testament.

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(Estate Planners) - Estate probate law deals with the property that a person has accumulated at the time of his or her death. The estate is the net worth of a person when he or she dies. If a person has more assets than liabilities, he has an estate. If he has more liabilities than assets, he does not have any estate because his creditors are entitled to his property to pay the debts that he owes. For example, if James has a house worth $100,000 but still owes $30,000 on his mortgage, then his net worth is $70,000. However, if he has a checking account

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