WV Wills Week--Library resources

Wills, Trusts, and Advance Directives

The Reference Department at the Martinsburg Public Library has resources that can help you make choices about wills, trusts, advance directives, and end-of-life decisions.

Since we never know when an accident or a serious illness might leave us incapable of making our own decisions, making the choice to have these documents in place can save the persons whom you love and for whom you care a lot of stress during trying times.

Having  a will versus dying “intestate” (without a will) means a lesser chance that there will be a conflict between family members and survivors of the deceased, since the will sets forth clearly the manner in which property and assets should be divided following your death.  To be legal, a will should not be witnessed by persons who will benefit from its provisions (including a spouse) and it should have all signatures, including those of the testator (maker) and all witnesses, attested to by a notary public.  A trust is another option, which provides for control of property or assets over an extended period of time while transferring ownership through the terms of the document. 

Other documents, known as advance directives, let your family and doctor know your decisions for health care if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. The state of West Virginia recognizes two types of written advance directives, which are a Living Will and a Medical Power of Attorney.

The library has books providing further details about these documents and copies of all of these types of forms which you can use to complete these important decisions that will make a difference to the people you love.

Some important titles of interest on the legal bookshelf in the Reference Department include: 

Estate Planning in West Virginia: Real Answers to Real Questions

Estate Planning Basics

Nolo’s Simple Will Book

Prepare Your Own Will

Plan Your Estate: Protect Your Loved Ones, Property & Finances