Where in a will do you designate real estate?

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Parnassia

My father listed his CA home in his will as one of his assets, just like his car, investments, bank accounts, and life insurance. No TOD, no trust, nothing. He had looked into trusts before but disliked attorneys and the complexities, so he researched holographic wills/probate instead. He didn't make individual bequests to anyone, though he did sit down with his 3 children some years before to discuss individual household/family items each of us might want. We each made a list that he kept with his will. Everything else was lumped as other tangible personal property. Other than things on those lists, he directed that the proceeds from everything else be divided equally between us 3. Any further distributions were up to us. He owned the home outright, was a widower, and his was the only name on the deed. He kept it simple. As executor I had court authority to engage a realtor or sell the property privately, then distribute the proceeds. Done and done. There were no hiccups.

My will is written in such a manner that if an individual asset changes all I need to do is write a codicil. Discreet assets such as the house, investment and bank accounts are listed as an attachment. My estate is very simple, not remotely worth a trust. I keep the original will filed at home, but it is also on file with the trust company that will serve as my executor.

Edited to add:

I don't see the point of secreting a will where no one can find it. My will's investment/account information doesn't include PINS. If someone wants access to those they'll need and probably already have court authority to deal with the holding institutions. At that point they can no longer weasel any of it out of me.