The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-10-02
TAKING YOUR WILL
Have You Put Off This important
Task. ard. if S., Why?
DRAWING UP TIE DOCUMENT.

Rules by Probate Law Authority That
Tel Just What to Do and What Not
to Do In Making a Last Testament
Secure In Its Provisions.
More than 81 per cent of Americans
die without making will, says Fred
erick IIalsey in the American Maya
zine Have you made yours! 1t is
conceded by legal authorities that 1t
is the duty of every person to leave
written will in order that the estate
may be closed, the property divided
among the proper beneticiaries and
that the family or friends may have
the benefits of the property, yet more
than so per cent OF the holders of valu-
able property neglect this duty.
The old superstition that the man
who makes Il will writes his death
warrant is one of the chief causes OF
delay in making proper provision for
the distribution of any estate after
death. 1t is hard to calculate what
percentage of men and women believe
this superstition. because the majority
will deny it. Court experts know that
the percentage is large. Yet life in
surance figures. taken in comparison
with dates on wills. seem to show that
instead of being correct the supersh-
ton is without basis and that men
who have made wills have lived longer
than the average
Charles S. Cutting. who is one of
NIL
bate law. gives the following directions
for making Il safe will that can't be
broken:
Before you consult anybody decide
how you propose to leave your prop
erty.
If the disposition to be made is SIM
pie any ordinarily skilled person can
draw your will.
If your will is complicated, including
trusts. life estates and so forth, employ
the most skilled craftsman within your
acquaintance.
Do as your legal adviser tells you as
to matters concerning which there may
be doubt.
Be sure to comply with all formali-
ties required by the statute, especially
the following:
Subscribe your Name to the will in
the presence of witnesses.
Declare it to be your will in their
presence.
Have at least two witnesses sign in
your presence.
If you sign by mark or for any rea
nnoll1n tn wrtp ms q
have at least three witnesses to the
fact of your signing by mari. or: that
you requested some other person to
write your name.
Ask people who have .rng known
you and who have no doubt as to your
sanity to be witnesses.
Place your will in the custody of
some perfectly responsible person or
corporation or in some receptacleJ as a
safety deposit vault. which cannot be
! opened after your death without the
presence of public officials.
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 shd may
reject your offer and take under the
| statute.
Don't put off making a will until yol
are i'll and your disinherited rel {ltiye'
will say that your mind is affecfds
Don't believe that making youf viii
will hasten your death.
In states where the statutes dive 6
| widow dover only in her husbands
real estate don't get the idea thatt she
will be the owner in fee of one-thtrd OF
his realty.
Don't attempt to tie up your estate
for long period, providing for ulti.
mate distribution in the distant future
| Courts are very apt to find ways to
| construe such a will contrary to your
intention.