No will, but still a way

In re the Estate of David F. Oaks, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals held that a decedent’s assets were effectively gifted to his significant other pursuant to a note written shortly before his death. Despite Oaks’s failure to execute a will, his wishes were honored because of the “gift causa mortis” doctrine.

In this 50-minute webcast, Emily E. Ames of Hager, Dewick & Zuengler, S.C. will explain the intricacies of the exception to the general rule that testamentary dispositions must comply with the statutory requirements for a valid will.

You’ll learn about:

• The basic requirements for a valid will
• The four elements of a valid gift causa mortis
• Will substitutes and alternative methods of probate avoidance

Plus, discover questions that the Oaks case left unanswered and review why gifts causa mortis shouldn’t be used to bypass the usual testamentary formalities.

No will, but still a way

In re the Estate of David F. Oaks, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals held that a decedent’s assets were effectively gifted to his significant other pursuant to a note written shortly before his death. Despite Oaks’s failure to execute a will, his wishes were honored because of the “gift causa mortis” doctrine.

In this 50-minute webcast, Emily E. Ames of Hager, Dewick & Zuengler, S.C. will explain the intricacies of the exception to the general rule that testamentary dispositions must comply with the statutory requirements for a valid will.