In most cases, people create a final will to provide for their loved ones and help them avoid inheritance disputes. In theory, detailing your wishes in a legal document can go a long way in preventing your heirs from fighting over who gets what after your death.
You have the right to create your own will, but if you do not understand the requirements associated with Colorado wills, it could fail to work the way you intended. In a worst-case scenario, a court may rule that the document you worked hard to create is invalid.
What is necessary for a will to be valid in Denver?
Each state has specific laws to follow when creating a will. For example, some states allow handwritten or even oral wills. In Colorado, your will must meet the following requirements to be legal and valid:
- The person making the will must be a legal adult (18 or older) and of sound mind
- The document must be witnessed and signed by two or more competent adults (either before or after death)
- If handwritten or holographic, it must be written and signed by the person creating the will (a handwritten will requires no witnesses)
As you can see, our state imposes few rules in creating a valid will. However, it is always wise to ensure you understand the state-specific laws for making your will. Having your estate plan reviewed by someone familiar with these laws can also help.
Since we mentioned oral wills in this blog post, we want you to know that they are neither legal nor valid in the state of Colorado.