Nothing Says Date Night Like Executing Some Wills

So, my new friend J asked me if I knew anyone who could help her set up her and her husband's wills because they have a baby on the way and want to provide for guardianship should they pass.  Of course, I said I would check out my firm's resources. Unfortunately, with bar study, I hadn't had a chance to log into my firm's intranet and was feeling pretty bad about not following through with something I said I would do. During my lecture on wills, I was enlightened about this wonderful thing call a "statutory will" here in California.  I'm going to say right now that this is no way is meant to be legal advice. I'm merely describing my own personal experience with California's statutory will. Yes, that's in bold.  I'm dead serious. At any rate, after looking into the statutory will, it looked perfect for my friend and looked perfect for Erik and me.  I told J about it and put the offer out there that I would still look for someone for her, but this document had what she was looking for and would save her some money.  Apparently, her husband's aunt had given her the same advice. The way it works is that California provides a pre-printed form that you fill out in your handwriting. It was very simple.  If you look at the picture, I tabbed it for Erik so he knew where to fill things out. We decided to do it over a glass of wine because we're romantic like that.

Well, my friend decided to do it too.  We had planned for a double date this past weekend so they came over to our apartment first, and we witnessed and signed each others wills. Hot Saturday night, huh? The wills needed to be witnessed and signed by two people not taking under the will so we thought it would be perfect. After that, we went out to dinner at San Pedro Square Market (new trendy cafeteria-type place in town) and then dessert at a wine bar. It was a pretty awesome night, and I truly am happy I made some friends here finally! Oh, and I'm happy that Erik and I have wills now.  I think the next plan is going to be to execute holographic codicils that provide for the situation if we die at the same time. The statutory wills didn't get that complicated, and we want to make sure that our estates don't fall into intestacy (if I'm remembering California survival statutes properly... hmm... note to self: go over my notes for wills). For Erik, it's fine because his parents would take his share of our assets, but I would rather my mom not get anything if I die.  I would rather it go to my brothers (not that I have anything to give right now, but you know). At any rate, that part is not going to be done until after the bar exam.  Until then, we'll just have to try not to die at the same time.  I know, happy Valentine's day to everyone. :P