Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-08-11
MAKING ONES NIL.
AUTHORITY GIVES SOME ADVICE
ON THE SUBJECT.
List of "Do's" and "Don'ts" That
Should Be Observed by the One
Who Is Framing Testament
Have Best Legal Advice.

In the American Magazine Charles
5. Cutting, who is one of Americas
foremost authorities on probate law,
and for many years was judge of the
probate court in Chicago, gives the
following directions for. making a safe
will that can't be broken:
"Do's-1. Before you consult any
body, decide how you propose to leave
your property.
20. If the disposition to be made
is simple, any ordinary skilled person
can draw your will.
SO. If your will is complicated, in
Guiding trusts, life estates, etc, en-
ploy the most skilled craftsman with,
in your acquaintance.
"a. Do as your legal adviser tells
you as to matters concerning which
there may be doubt.
"5. Be sure to comply with all for
malities required by the statute, espe-
cially the following:
&C. Subscribe your name to the will
in the presence Of witnesses.
az. Declare 1t to be your will In
their presence.
"8. Have at least two witnesses sign
In your presence.
80. If you sign by mark, or for any
reason are unable to write your name,
have at least three witnesses to the
fact Of your signing by mark or that
you requested some other person to
write your name.
80. Ask people who have long
known you and who have no doubt as
to your sanity to be witnesses to your
will
al. Place your will in the custody
of some perfectly responsible person
Or corporation, or in some receptacle,
as safety deposit vault, which cannot
be opened after your death without
the presence of public officials.
"12. Remember that any provision
you make for your wife is an offer to
her to purchase from her her statutory
rights, and that if she chooses she
may reject your offer and take advan-
tage of her rights under the statute"
"Don'ts-1. Don't put off making a
will until you are i'll and your disin-
herited relatives will say that your
mind is affected.
Don't believe that making your will
will hasten your death.
80. In states where the statutes give
a widow dover only in her husbands
real estate. don't get the idea that she
will be the owner in fee Of one-third
of his realty.
81. Don't attempt to tie up your es-
tate for long period, providing for
ultimate distribution in the distant fu-
ture. Courts are very apt to find ways
to construe such a will contrary to
your intention.
"5. Don't let your will be the vehicle
OF conveying to posterity your hatred
or dislike Of individuals.
IS. If you are wealthy and have pro-
vided we'll for your family, don't forget
the obligation you owe to the commu-
nifty in which you have acquired your
fortune.
- @7. Don't attempt to change your
will, after it is written and witnessed,
by drawing lines across certain por-
tons of it and writing in other direc-
lions. Such attempts will fail.
IS. Don't make a nonresident Of
your state executor of your will. Many
states will not permit him to act.
SO. Don't have the man you select
ed as executor sign as witness. 1t
may disqualify him.
40. Don't allow any legatee or de-
visee in your will to sign as witness.
II he does, he may lose his legacy or
devise.
IL. If you wish to add a codicil to
your will, don't fail to have the coGi-
Gil refer Enthusiastically to the will and
to attach the codicil thereto physically
"12. Don't hesitate to change your
will by codicil or otherwise whenever
you see fit