{"id":371782,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-estate-planning-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T14:48:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T19:48:08","slug":"california-estate-planning-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-estate-planning-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Estate Planning Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n \n California Estate Planning Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n California’s estate planning laws are comparatively straightforward.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Although it sounds dramatic, writing your last will and testament is something everyone should do. Even if you don’t think you have enough property to worry about, your family members need instructions about your final healthcare decisions, care of any minor children, and other needs. Estate planning documents are available online<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Even though a will does not require an attorney, you should consider getting legal advice from an estate planning attorney before finalizing your will. Wills are legal documents, and an attorney can review your will for accuracy.<\/p>\r\n

In California, wills also have requirements for witnesses and notaries.<\/p>\r\n

You can find more information on California Estate Planning Laws below. If you’re looking for an estate planning lawyer<\/a>, you can find one near you with FindLaw’s attorney referral service.<\/p>\r\n

California Wills<\/h2>\r\n

A will leaves personal and real property to beneficiaries after the person who wrote the will (the "testator") dies. That’s the basic definition of a will. You don’t need to have a particular amount of money or type of property to leave a will.<\/p>\r\n

In California<\/a>, you must meet a few basic requirements. You must:<\/p>\r\n