QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS CALIFORNIA STATUTORY WILL
The following information, in question and answer form, is not a part of the California Statutory Will. It is designed to help
you understand about Wills and to decide if this Will meets your needs. This Will is in a simple form. The complete text of
each paragraph of this Will is printed at the end of the Will.
1. What happens if I die without a Will? If you die without a Will, what you own (your “assets”) in your name alone will be
divided among your spouse, domestic partner, children, or other relatives according to state law. The court will appoint a
relative to collect and distribute your assets.
2. What can a Will do for me? In a Will you may designate who will receive your assets at your death. You may designate
someone (called an “executor”) to appear before the court, collect your assets, pay your debts and taxes, and distribute your
assets as you specify. You may nominate someone (called a “guardian”) to raise your children who are under age 18. You
may designate someone (called a “custodian”) to manage assets for your children until they reach any age from 18 to 25.
3. Does a Will avoid probate? No. With or without a Will, assets in your name alone usually go through the court probate
process. The court’s first job is to determine if your Will is valid.
4. What is community property? Can I give away my share in my Will? If you are married or in a domestic partnership and
you or your spouse earned money during your marriage or domestic partnership from work and wages, that money (and the
assets bought with it) is community property. Your Will can only give away your one-half of community property. Your Will
cannot give away your spouse’s one-half of community property.
5. Does my Will give away all of my assets? Do all assets go through probate? No. Money in a joint tenancy bank account
automatically belongs to the other named owner without probate. If your spouse, domestic partner, or child is on the deed to
your house as a joint tenant, the house automatically passes to him or her. Life insurance and retirement plan benefits may
pass directly to the named beneficiary. A Will does not necessarily control how these types of “nonprobate” assets pass at
your death.
6. Are there different kinds of Wills? Yes. There are handwritten Wills, typewritten Wills, attorney-prepared Wills, and
statutory Wills. All are valid if done precisely as the law requires. You should see a lawyer if you do not want to use this
Statutory Will or if you do not understand this form.
7. Who may use this Will? This Will is based on California law. It is designed only for California residents. You may use this
form if you are single, married, a member of a domestic partnership, or divorced. You must be age 18 or older and of sound
mind.
8. Are there any reasons why I should NOT use this Statutory Will? Yes. This is a simple Will. It is not designed to reduce
death taxes or other taxes. Talk to a lawyer to do tax planning, especially if (i) your assets will be worth more than $600,000
or the current amount excluded from estate tax under federal law at your death, (ii) you own business-related assets, (iii) you
want to create a trust fund for your children’s education or other purposes, (iv) you own assets in some other state, (v) you