Everything You Must Know Before you Fill out Your Last Will and Testament Form

A Last Will and Testament is the legal document that controls the disposition of your property at death and may provide for guardianship for your children after your death. A will is not effective until death. As long as you are living, your will has no effect and no property or rights to property are transferred by it.

Your estate consists of all your property and personal belongings that you own or are entitled to possess at the time of your death. This includes real and personal property, cash, savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, and automobiles. Although the proceeds of insurance policies may be considered part of your estate in some states, a will does not change the designated beneficiaries of an insurance policy. The proceeds of an insurance policy will normally pass to the primary or secondary beneficiary designated on the face of the policy. Even if you do not have very much, you probably still have some things you would like to pass on to your loved ones. Your estate grows daily in value through repayment of mortgages, appreciation of real estate, stocks and other securities, possible inheritances from other relatives and other factors.

Avoid family disagreements. Many families struggle over who should get what. A will allows you to give your things to whomever you want, not to whomever a judge decides will get it.



SOME TERMS YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH



ESTATE: All that one owns in real estate, personal property and other

assets.

EXECUTOR: The person appointed to manage the estate of a person who has

died. Unless there is a valid objection, the judge will appoint the person named in the will to be the executor. This should be a competent person that you trust and who has the time to carry out the terms of your will. It can also be an attorney or a bank.

GUARDIAN: A person who will take care of your minor child if the other

parent is unable. Naming a guardian for your child only expresses your

wishes. The court makes the final decision in the appointment of the

guardian.

HOLOGRAPHIC WILL: A handwritten Will that is written, dated and signed by the testator. (The person making the will.)

INCAPACITY: Lacking the ability to understand one's actions.

INTESTATE: When a person dies without leaving a valid will.

PROBATE: The process of proving a will is valid and then doing what was stated in the will.

TESTATOR: A person who has written a will.

BENEFICIARY: A person who receives property through a will is known as a beneficiary.

SECONDARY BENEFICIARY: Those who inherit property in the event the primary beneficiary dies before you.

CODICIL: A written modification to a person's will, which must be dated, signed and witnessed just as a will would be, and must make some reference to the will it amends.



Any person may make a will who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and of sound mind. Being of sound mind means that you have the ability to understand the consequences of your actions. Your will can be challenged if someone feels you were not of sound mind when you made the will. In addition to being eighteen years old and of sound mind, in order for a will to be valid, it must be in writing, the testator (person making the will) must sign it, and, if typed, two or more witnesses are needed. Oral wills are not valid. Your legal residence is the state in which you have your true, fixed and permanent home, and to which, if you are temporarily absent, you intend to return. Voting, paying taxes, owning property and motor vehicle registration are some indications that one is a legal resident of a state. Your legal residence may affect where your will is probated and the amount

of state inheritance or estate tax that may be paid at death. Generally speaking you are free to give your property to whomever you desire. However there are some exceptions. Most states have laws that entitle spouses to at least part of the other spouse's estate. This statutory share ranges from 1/3 to 1/2 of the other spouse's estate. Some states also provide shares of the estate to children of the decedent.

Insurance proceeds and jointly owned property may be controlled by other provisions of the law.

A guardian should be named in a will to ensure that the minor children and their estates are cared for in the event that both parents should die. Your guardian should be chosen with great care as this person will be charged with the duty of raising your children and managing their legal affairs. Do not automatically assume that your parents or any other relative will be suitable guardians. A substitute guardian should also be chosen with the same care as the primary guardian just in case the primary guardian cannot serve in that capacity. This decision on your part will be of great assistance to the court in determining who will be granted custody of your children.

Joint bank accounts and real property held in the names of both husband and wife with right of survivorship usually pass to the survivor by law and not by the terms of the deceased's will. There may be cases in which it is not to your advantage to hold property in this manner. When a person dies without a will (intestate) the property of the deceased is distributed according to a formula fixed by law. In other words, if you don't have a will you don't have any say as to how your property will be divided. Usually a person would prefer that all of his estate go to the surviving spouse. If there are any children under 18 the property cannot be delivered to them and a guardian must be appointed for them. Probate is the process of proving a will is valid. You must file the will with the clerk of the court in the county where the deceased person lived, along with a petition to have the court approve the will and appoint an executor (or executrix, if female). The court will then determine if the will is valid. It usually costs less to administer an estate when a person leaves a will. A properly drafted will can take advantage of Federal and State tax laws.

You can change your will with a writing called a codicil . A codicil can add to, subtract from or modify the terms of the original will. Keep the codicil with the original will. Choose a safe place where someone else can find the will after you are gone. Someone you trust should know that the will exists and where it is located. A will does not have to be recorded or filed with anyone until after death. A will can be be deposited with the probate court for safe keeping.



LegalFormsBank.biz has been serving the online do-it-yourself legal community for over 5 years. I recommend getting your last will and testament form there. You could think of your last will form as a last will and testament template where you simply fill few blank spots, which you can edit and print on your computer or fill in with pen.





Submitted with Article Distributor.

Ten Ways to Fight Identity Theft

Recent reports estimate that as many as one in ten of the population have been a victim of indentity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes of the last few years. By using a variety of means to usurp your identity and pass themselves off as you, the criminals involved go on to commit fraud and theft in your name - leaving you to pick up the pieces afterwards.

The effects on your credit rating can be devastating and often take years to completely fix, so prevention is obviously better than cure. Here are ten simple ways to help you avoid becoming a victim.

1: Be careful with your old documents such as paid bills, bank statements, and receipts. Either keep them safely stored or destroy them if you don't need them anymore. Don't just throw them away, as fraudsters often start stealing an identity by searching for these very kinds of documents in household waste. Shredding or burning unneeded papers will prevent this first step.

2: Store your personal documents securely by keeping them somewhere out of the sight of visitors to your home.

3: If you change your address, make sure that you inform your bank, utility companies, and everyone else who sends you mail. Documents wrongly sent to a previous address are a favourite target of fraudsters.

4: Make sure that when you stop using a credit card or bank account, you actually formally close the account rather than letting it go dormant. Having an unused, forgotten about account resurrected by a fraudster might not even be noticed until serious damage has been done.

5: Watch your plastic - make sure you know where your credit, debit and ATM cards are, and tell the issuing banks immediately if you lose them or they're stolen.

6: If possible change your PIN numbers and passwords to something easily memorable, and NEVER write them down, especially not on scraps of paper kept in your purse or wallet.

7: Don't respond to phishing. Banks will never ask you for personal details via email, and won't ask you for the password to your account. You don't need to 'reconfirm' your details following an email request either - just delete the email. If in any doubt at all, call your bank to make sure the request is genuine.

8: Use anti-virus software and firewall on your computer, especially if you use online banking of any kind. Keep the software up to date as well to guard against attempts by hackers to discover personal information on your computer.

9: Check your bank account and credit card statements carefully when you receive them, and query with your bank anything that you can't identify. Spotting a fraud in progress early on will vastly help in minimising the damage it causes.

10: Finally, monitor your credit reports regularly to see if anything appears that seems odd, such as applications for credit cards that you didn't make, or missed payments on finance that you haven't taken out. Services are widely available online which can help you do this by automatically informing you when something on your file changes.

None of us can be 100% sure that we won't fall victim to the crime of ID Theft, but by taking the measures listed above you'll be making the job of any potential fraudster very difficult indeed, and they're likely to move on to an easier target!



Nicholas Hunt is a contributor to 1Stop Finance, your source for personal loans, homeowner loans and bad credit loans.

Five Reasons to Consider a Remortgage

Gone are the days when we took out a mortgage and stuck with it for life, until the debt had been completely repaid. The remortgage market is big business these days, and taking a look at the options available could considerably improve your finances. What are some of the reasons for considering switching your mortgage?

1) Get a better deal: Are you sure that your current mortgage is the best one you can get? The market is very competitive and mortgage providers are desperate to attract new business, usually by offering special deals to people who switch their mortgage over to them. As well as aiming for a lower interest rate and lower monthly repayments, remortgaging could net you other benefits such as cash back, free home insurance, or other valuable extras depending on the deal.

2) Lock in a low rate: Interest rates are at historic lows, even taking into account the recent rise. Many experts are predicting that rates will begin to rise again over the next few months and years, leading to more expensive mortgages. By replacing your variable rate mortgage with one that has a rate fixed for a few years, you can protect yourself against future rises in the interest rate.

3) Release equity: As house prices have gone through the roof over the last decade or so, many people find that they are sitting on a large amount of equity in their home - the difference between how much their house is worth and what the outstanding mortgage balance is. Taking out a remortgage that will pay off your current mortgage and also give you some extra funds is an effective way of unlocking some of this stored wealth, providing you with the funds you need for home improvements, a holiday or wedding, or any other large expense. It is often cheaper to raise the money with a remortgage than by, for example, taking out a personal loan.

4) Debt consolidation: It's well known that the public as a whole are in debt to a level never seen before, with easy access to relatively cheap credit providing the temptation to 'live now and pay later'. Nonetheless, the money has to be repaid at some time, and credit cards and the like aren't an ideal way of obtaining long term credit. Taking out a remortgage large enough to cover both your mortgage and your other debts will simplify your finances, leaving you with a single monthly repayment to make, which will usually be for a smaller amount than your total repayments at the moment.

5) Change your mortgage type: People's circumstances change over time, and what might have been an ideal mortgage a few years ago when you took it out might not be the most suitable for your current needs. Maybe you want to switch from an interest-only mortgage to a capital repayment one, or you might want to take advantage of some of the more recent features of mortgages such as flexible payments or offsetting - a remortgage can give you the chance to get a deal more in tune with your current circumstances.

Bearing all the above in mind, a remortgage might seem like an ideal way forward for restructuring your finances. It's important to remember though that the decision to remortgage is not to be taken lightly, as you could potentially be putting your home at risk if you get it wrong, and so it's essential to seek the advice of a properly qualified mortgage advisor if you are in any doubt.



Nicholas Hunt is a contributor to 1Stop Finance UK, your source for remortgages, mortgages and homeowner loans.

How To Submit Articles Effectively For SEO

Today, no one can deny the fact that article submission has become a big trend in internet marketing to improve website's popularity on the net. There are thousands of articles, books and forum entries showing that submitting your article to as many article and ezine directories (article hosting sites) is the best thing you can do to increase valuable targeted traffic to your web site, and quickly grow your site's backlinks. In this article, you can find some ways that can help you increase the effectiveness as well as facilitate the process of your article submission. * Well preparation before your submission: Prepare a short abstract and a list of keywords for your article. Not all article directories will ask for them, but when they need, make this abstract and the list of keywords ready to copy and paste. Besides, you may also prepare several different versions of your articles to prevent duplicate content recognition from search engines. Just replace some words by synonyms then you will have an identical article with readers but different one with search engines. Next, gather all the information which is required by most submission sites including: title, author name, pen name, word count... for author account creation. And last but not least, make sure you have reread and corrected all misspelled words or grammar errors before submitting your article because you will lose credibility with a lot of mistakes in your work. * Making your resource box effective: This is the first reason of writing the article because it's the resource box which is going to bring targeted traffic and backlinks to your own website. Keep it short, concise and include the most important information - your name, a few attractive sentences about what your site offers and the most prominent link (URL) to your website. If an article directory supports HTML code (or Rich Text Editor support), don't type your URL in its entirety. Use it with the anchor text (keyword) that you want to build backlinks for. With different directories, you should vary this anchor text which points to different pages in your website. Of course you must accept the policy of article directories, do not overuse or abuse with your resource box. * Using clear format for your article when submitting: Write an article as simple as possible with a clear structure. It's better to avoid complex HTML tags, images, affiliate links and special characters. Make certain to well check the guidelines of different article directories and follow the minimum or maximum article length, general layout and style. If you are allowed to use HTML (or Rich Text Editor), you should use some basic tags such as <b> (bold), <i> (italic), <br> (break line), <p> (paragraph), <a> (link) to make your article more attractive. Besides, pay attention to your headline since it is the most efficient thing you can do to get your article read. In the headline, you should highlight a problem or state a solution that your readers are looking for. * More is better: There are thousands of article directory on the Internet. So the more directories you submit your article to, the more backlinks you can get. It's better if you have prepared a list of all article directories appropriate to your article. With the keywords "article submissions", "articles directory" or "free articles", you can find on search engines thousands of article directories welcoming you to submit your own articles. On the Internet, besides of big articles directories, there are a lot of small directories which you cannot find out with the above popular keywords. Most of them are based on the same software such as Article Dashboard, Article Beach,... so with the keyword "Powered by Article Dashboard" you can get a list of all article directories which use Dashboard System. * Checking your article's exposure and maintaining your list of article directories for the next submission: Almost all article directories are based on human editors. They need time to read and approve (or reject) your submitted articles. So, the appropriate time to check your article's exposure is about 2-3 weeks after submissions. You can check by either using search tools (if exists) on article directory or using quick indexing and updating search engines such as MSN. This step is very important to make sure your article's format is correct and the resource box is included. In addition, this is also the step to evaluate the article directories: are they still managed or abandoned? Are your articles suitable for these sites? The collected information from these checks will help you maintain a reasonable and useful list of article directories for the next submission. In this article, I've provided you with some basic but effective tips to come along your article marketing campaigns. Article writing and submission bring benefits to all authors so it should not be underrated. If your articles are not written, and submitted effectively, plenty of efforts can be wasted.

Happy writing and submitting articles!



Article by Mike Pham of TopTrafficWholesaler.com, a complete service website advertising agency. Offers quality web traffic service in the form of various banner display ads and full web page ads to increase site sales.

Need to Recapture The Magic of Christmas? Try Inspirational Christmas Stories!

Everyone knows that life today is more hectic than ever before. Families are often very busy and family fun time is at a premium. This is never more apparent than at Christmas. Everyone wants Christmas to be magical and special, but many of us feel that it has become commercial and impersonal. The solution, though, is so simple that many families are surprised. Inspirational Christmas stories can help you recapture the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas, but with a modern twist. Just consider:



1) Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults are quick to read and can be read together at any time. You won�t have to rearrange your entire schedule for this Christmas magic � all you need are a few stolen moments here and there.



2) Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults allow you to create special Christmas traditions for your family. Many cultures read the Christmas story aloud during the holidays. Reading favorite inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults together can be a great way to develop special holiday traditions for your own family.



3) Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults are about sharing time � not about spending money. Getting together to read inspirational Christmas stories out loud is about sharing time together. It is not simply another impersonal way to spend money. In fact, inspirational Christmas stories are very economical, no matter what your holiday budget this Christmas season!



4) Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults can help you teach your family what the season is all about. These stories have modern settings and twists and are exciting and fun. At the same time, they are about the miracles and togetherness that Christmas should represent. Without lecturing or moralizing, inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults capture and reveal exactly what this time of year is all about � and they do so in a way that everyone can understand!



5) Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults can create cherished memories for your whole family. Stir up some cocoa and serve some cookies to your audience. Take turns reading inspirational Christmas stories out loud, and put on some quiet Christmas carols in the background. Inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults can be the perfect way to set the stage for a fabulous Christmas celebration.



The magic of reading and the wonder of Christmas combine together in inspirational Christmas stories for children and adults to create a wonderful way to celebrate this most exciting time of year! Why not get some inspirational Christmas stories today and create a tradition that your family will love and cherish for years to come?







Visit www.HoHoHoChristmas.com and sign up for our F*R*E*E* NEWSLETTER FULL OF TIPS, TOOLS & RESOURCES for reviving the fun, joy, magic and real meaning of Christmas every day of the year. You will also receive as a BONUS our F*R*E*E* 10 day e-course with audio on how to enrich your Christmas experience today from The HoHoHo Expert, Bernadette Dimitrov, author of the world's best Christmas ebooks and audio books: "The HoHoHo Factor."

British Buyers Lead Monte Carlo Property Surge

Fourteen years ago the newly liberated Russians brought suitcases of cash to the Cote d'Azur and Monaco to buy property , but now it's the British - using conventional banking methods and with it a degree of respectability - who are investing in Europe's top tax haven.



The British have been players in the region for nearly two hundred years, with Nice just along the coast being a favourite resort of the genteel Victorian English - in recent years the British have held a presence in Monaco, but now they're back in numbers not seen for over a century.



The new wave of British buyers is welcomed by Monte Carlo property agents as their funds are more likely to be legitimately earned, while some of the 90's Russian cash was often a little suspect.



'Things have changed since the 90's when the Russian mafia were the big players in town', explains Roger Munns, Managing Director of Monaco property specialists Tribune Properties, 'Then it was easy to put a few million cash down for a property and not have questions asked. In the last few years the banks have really tightened up due to government pressure because of the 'war on terror' and tracking money from illegitimate sources. Estate agents in Monaco know that the chances of a British buyer being able to show the source of their money as legitimate is very high'.



With standard one bedroom apartments at just under a million Euros, and a typical three bedroom apartment at over three million Euros, property prices have more than doubled in Monaco in the last ten years.



Traditionally Monaco property buyers have often been retired sixty-somethings, staying away from their home country to avoid the taxes that come with selling their business. But today's Monaco buyer is just as likely to be in his mid thirties or forties as they are in their sixties, with the middle age British leading the way.



'A few years ago around one in ten enquiries we were receiving were from the UK', say Tribune, 'but now it's virtually four in ten - a significant shift in the nationality of Monte Carlo property buyers.



The buyers have often made their money from one of three sources. The traditional company owner with a bricks and mortar business who has sold up, but also younger entrepreneurs, some of whom have made money in e-commerce. A significant number of buyers from the UK have worked in the financial sector, invariably in the City of London. We see a lot of futures and commodity brokers who are on high million pound and more salaries with annual bonues to match.



Some British buyers continue to trade or run their businesses from Monaco. Nice Airport is a ten minute helicopter ride away, and the City of London can be just three hours away from their Monaco property with the right connections. With some clever accounting thrown in, today's technology enables people to manage their UK business from Monaco in a tax free environment'.

Monte Carlo Hotels



Henri Boulanger of independent Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com has also noticed more Brits on the streets of Monte Carlo.



'The British have arrived in Monaco in numbers recently. The ones I have spoken to have recently sold their business or are on very high salaries with million pound and more annual bonuses. I would like to think they are coming here for the weather in Monaco, but of course it is for the tax environment we offer - and of course the Monaco Grand Prix.'



In recent years the British economy has consistently been one of the strongest in Europe, and with a top rate of income tax cut a decade ago to forty per cent the wealthy have become wealthier - and want to stay that way.



'Despite the top rate of tax coming down to forty per cent', says Henri, 'By the time other direct taxes such as National Insurance are taken into account around half of top earners salaries are - as many of the Monaco property buyers from Britain see it - being lost to the Inland Revenue. By moving to Monaco they effectively double their disposable income.



When you go to the Hotel Columbus in Fontvieille and see a couple with estate agent details on the table and a map of Monaco with various places highlighted, there's an almost even chance that they will be British. A lot more than just a couple of years ago. They like Monaco, the security, the tax advantages and the closeness to London'.



Monaco it seems likes the British too.



For more details about Monte Carlo , including hotels in Monaco plus the weather in Monaco www.yourmonaco.com



The latest Monaco property is at Monacoproperty.net

Thoughts, Emotions and Beliefs: Are they Controlling Your Life?

Today, there is a huge change in scientific thinking. The seeds of a new vision or reality are sprouting throughout the arenas of physics, biology and psychology. This vision is a shift away from matter as the only reality, toward the inclusion of consciousness and mind as part of that reality.



Forward-thinking information in the study of mind-body integration indicates the vital importance of how our beliefs and perceptions influence our body in creating and maintaining health as well as all areas of our life.



Perhaps, the most powerful single factor in your health, financial or business success is your beliefs about yourself and what you deserve. We call this the Law Of Belief. It says simply this:



� Whatever you believe, with feeling, becomes your reality

� Whatever you focus on you create in your life, negative or positive



Significantly, people are now becoming aware of their �core beliefs,� which are composed of memories, images, and emotional dispositions, all deeply held in our neural patterns and energy field.



These beliefs shape the styles, habits, behavior, perceptions, and attitudes that define us as individuals. Our responses to the major themes of life -safety, belonging, support, power, freedom, responsibility, sexuality, etc. - are all organized by our core thinking. Some core beliefs support our ability to be who we desire to be, while other beliefs continue to limit us in living our best possible lives.



Our limiting beliefs are a barrier to or a filter for the immense variety of information that our brains must process daily. We have a tendency to block out any information coming to us that is inconsistent with our reality.



Our physical bodies are a constant reflection of our beliefs, and our way of thinking and being in the world. Thus, our minds are supported in our beliefs by our bodies. Change is possible when we are able to alter our beliefs.



Easily said, but how does one change a belief? Most of us have been harboring old beliefs since childhood. The first step is to become aware of the trauma or pattern and how it affects your life. Ask yourself: is this childhood belief serving me well now, as an adult? Is it offering me positive support for my adult decisions? If your answer is no, find a way to get rid of the belief.



Some useful techniques that are powerful catalysts for releasing old patterns are meditation, energy psychology, bodywork therapy, biofeedback, shamanic healing, prayer and visual imagery.



Action Exercise:

Here are six things you can do to help build a belief system consistent in creating healthy changes in your life.



� Create Your Day-Begin each day by seeing and intending in your mind how you want your day to be. You are creating your reality.



� Watch Your Thoughts-Set a goal for yourself to think and talk only about the things that you want for the next 24 hours. This process will make you aware of how often you are thinking about what you don�t want. This practice can change your life.



� WATCH What the Bleep!? A thought-provoking movie about

how our thoughts and beliefs create our reality. If you have not seen this movie rent the DVD- it is a must.



� Purchase the CD-Life Strategies for Making Changes in Life and Work.

This powerful CD gives you a step-by-step mind-body strategy for making lasting change in your life.



� READ Dr. Bruce Lipton�s The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles. Explore the science proving how changing your beliefs and emotions change your health.



� Check out the benefits of a Health and Mind-Body Coach- Sign-up for Healthy Living and Balance health and mind-body coaching sessions that help you get clear on how to create a new blueprint for your health, career, relationship and spiritual growth.



If you start today to implement any three of these action exercises I guarantee you will make a shift in your beliefs and perceptions.



2006 Joyce Dillon, R.N., M.N. health and mind-body coach and energy medicine practitioner works with individuals and groups who want to dramatically improve their health, relationships and live a more balanced lifestyle. Learn more about our services and products atwww.healthylivingandbalance.com or contact Joyce directly at 404-881-1322 or jjdillon@mindspring.com. Article Submitted by www.thatarticleguy.com