With just $250, a Nevada resident can make a valid will. A willmaker should be at least 18 years old and of sound mind and reasoning. Couples, parents, business persons, and pet owners can make valid wills for the property in Nevada, another state, or country.
How Much Does it Cost to Write a Will in Nevada
Writing a will in Nevada costs roughly $250 to $900. The cost depends on the complexity of the estate, the testator’s needs, and the attorney fees. Comprehensive estate planning may cost up to $5000. Before hiring an attorney, consult on their legal fees and agree before proceeding.
Can I Write a Will Without a Lawyer in Nevada
Yes, you can write a will without a lawyer in Nevada. The options for writing a will other than a lawyer include online will-making services such as LegalPen, DIY Will Kits, Software and Apps such as Gentreo, and Everplans, and writing the testator’s writing wills themselves.
Is It Legal to Write Your Own Will in Nevada?
Yes, it is legal to write your own will in Nevada. An adult 18 years or older may make a will. After making the will, the person must sign it and have it witnessed and attested by two credible and competent witnesses.
Does a Will in Nevada Need to be Notarized?
No, a will in Nevada does not need to be notarized. However, to add a self-proving effect to the will, a testator may have their will notarized in the presence of a notary public. The notary public certifies that the signatures on the documents are authentic. Notarization adds a layer of verification and can help ensure the probate courts accept the will.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Nevada?
No, you do not need a lawyer to make a will in Nevada. A testator intending to write a will may do so themselves, using free online tools and platforms, or hire LegalPen, an online will writing company.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Will in Nevada?
No, you do not need a lawyer to file a will in Nevada. Testators may file their will with the Nevada Secretary of State. This is merely registration to notify the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office of the existence of the will rather than the actual storage of the will.
After the testator’s death, the executor or personal representative may file the will with the probate court in the county where the testator lived at the time of their death.
Are Online Wills Legal in Nevada?
Yes, online and electronic wills are legal in Nevada as long as they comply with the Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 133. On July 1, 2017, the Silver State signed into law a statute making online wills legal.
How to Include Digital Assets in a Nevada Will
You can include digital assets in a Nevada will by making a list of them, including passwords and instructions on how to access and utilize them, choosing a beneficiary for each digital asset, and naming an executor who will be in charge of administering them.
Examples of digital assets in Nevada include cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, online accounts such as Facebook, X, Gmail, Outlook, and Instagram, digital media such as music files, digital photographs, domain names, digital artwork, software and apps, and cloud storage files.
How to Disinherit Someone in a Nevada Will
You can disinherit someone in a Nevada will by failing to include them in your will or by expressly stating that you do not include them in your will as a beneficiary. You may disinherit someone for the following reasons: estrangement, lack of need, previous gifts already given to them, change in their marital status and the medical and health status of the beneficiary.
Before disinheriting a spouse or a child in Nevada, you should consider the Nevada laws. Nevada is a community property state; thus, before disinheriting a spouse, one must go through the legal steps using a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
In Nevada, the laws do not condone the disinheritance of minor children, and to disinherit an adult child, you must expressly state it in your will.
How to Handle Debts and Liabilities in a Nevada Will
You can handle debts and liabilities in a Nevada Will by including a list of your debts and liabilities in your will. Before any distribution of property can occur, the estate’s debts and liabilities must be settled; this includes paying off creditors, estate taxes and funeral expenses. To make the probate process easy and seamless, you should include a list of your debts and liabilities and instructions on how to settle the debts and liabilities.
How to Provide for Minor Children in a Nevada Will
Minor children are children who have not attained the age of majority in Nevada. The age of majority in Nevada is 18 years. You can provide for minor children in Nevada by appointing a guardian/guardians depending on the number of minor children. The guardian shall take care of the minor children after your demise.
In addition to choosing a guardian, you shall bequeath assets to your children, which shall be held in trust until they become adults and leave instructions on how to take care of their children.
How to Store Your Nevada Will Safely
When storing your will, you should consider safety and accessibility. You can store your will with the bank, attorney, or home. Most banks and attorneys have safe deposit boxes to store your will. Storing your will at the bank or attorneys is a secure method that prevents unauthorised persons from accessing your will. Alternatively, you may store your will at home in a fireproof and waterproof safe. When you store your will at home, ensure trusted individuals know how to access it.
How to Contest a Will in Nevada
To contest a will means to challenge the terms of the will. A will is contested in the probate court with the help of an estate attorney. In Nevada, only some people can contest a will. For one to contest a will, they must have legal standing. To have legal standing, they must be:
- A beneficiary named in the will or a beneficiary named in a previous will and
- Someone not named in the will, but they are eligible to be considered as a beneficiary.
The grounds for contesting a will include the following: the testator was not mentally competent, they made or signed the will under undue influence, the execution and witnessing requirements were not complied with, there exists a more recent will other than the one that has been admitted to probate, and the will is incomplete.
What are No-Contest Clauses in Nevada Wills?
A no-contest clause is a clause included in the will to prevent the beneficiaries mentioned in the will from contesting its provisions. It encourages beneficiaries to honour the wishes of the deceased. The no-contest clause stipulates that any person who contests the will shall forfeit any bequests made to them under the will.
Nevada Revised Statute 137.005 requires that the no-contest clause found in a will be enforced subject to certain limitations such as public policy.
What is the difference between probate in Nevada and Arkansas?
The probate processes in Nevada and Arkansas are similar except for a few differences, such as estate and inheritance tax not being applicable in Nevada. In contrast, estate tax is not imposed in Arkansas, while inheritance tax is applied in Arkansas. Additionally, Nevada and Arkansas offer simplified probate processes; however, the estate’s total value in Nevada has to be under $ 300,000, while in Arkansas, the estate’s total value is under $ 100,000. To learn more about Will Writing in Arkansas, check out Will Writing Service in Arkansas.
How to Handle Foreign Property in a Nevada Will
Depending on where the property is located, you can include it in your will or consult with an estate attorney to handle foreign property. The property may be included in a Nevada will, or an estate attorney may recommend that you draft an international will acceptable in the country where the property was located.
How to Make a Will for Same-Sex Couples in Nevada
Nevada was among the first states to recognise gay marriages in the United States. Will making for same-sex couples is similar to opposite-sex couples. Same-sex couples in Nevada can create joint, mutual, or simple wills. Same-sex couples may write their will by following the guidance on How to Write a Will in Nevada.
How to Plan for Pet Care in Your Nevada Will
You can plan for pet care in your Nevada will by choosing a guardian who will care for your pet after death. The guardian can be a family member or a compassionate friend who cares for pets. After selecting a guardian, you can allocate finances to facilitate taking care of your will. Alternatively, you can leave your pet to a pet shelter.
How to Handle Business Succession in a Nevada Will
You can handle business succession in a Nevada will by including a business succession plan. The business succession plan provides business buy and sell out agreements, business purchase agreements or passing on your property to your beneficiaries. You can leave out instructions on how you would like the business interests and assets to be handled.
How to Handle Out-of-State Property in a Nevada Will
You may handle out-of-state property in a Nevada will by including it in your Nevada will. Nevada will be valid in the other state where the property is located. Once you include the property in the will, you can choose an executor in charge of initiating the probate process in the state where the property is located.
What is the Difference Between Holographic Wills and Statutory Wills in Nevada
Holographic wills and statutory wills are types of wills in Nevada. In Nevada, a holographic will is a handwritten will entirely in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator. It does not require witnesses to be valid. A statutory will is a form will or a simple will. Nevada does not recognise statutory wills.
Meet the Author
Annie L – Distinguished linguist at LegalPen
Annie is a distinguished linguist at LegalPen, bringing a unique blend of legal expertise and linguistic precision to her work. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, attending on a prestigious Law Faculty Merit Scholarship. At Yale, Annie showcased her exceptional skills by serving as an editor on the Yale Law Review.
Upon graduating, Annie gained invaluable experience through a two-year appellate clerkship at a renowned law firm in Connecticut. During her time in law school, she honed her research and writing abilities as a research assistant and writer for various legal firms. Annie’s deep understanding of legal language and her attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to LegalPen.