Legal Document FAQ
Free answers to common questions about legal documents and templates
General Questions
Yes. All templates are available for free download in PDF and Word format with no registration, email, or payment required. We are ad-supported.
Estate Planning
In most states, no. A will is valid with two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries. However, a self-proving affidavit (notarized supplement) makes probate significantly faster and is recommended.
Real Estate
No. Residential lease agreements are binding once signed by landlord and all adult tenants without notarization. Some states require leases for terms longer than 1 year to be witnessed, but not notarized.
Business Documents
No. NDAs are binding contracts that take effect when signed by all parties without notarization.
Employment
A signed offer letter can create binding obligations for the specific terms it states (salary, start date), particularly if the candidate resigned from another job in reliance on the offer. This is why offer letters should be simple and include clear at-will language.
Family Law
Yes. For a custody agreement to be legally enforceable (as opposed to a private arrangement), it must be approved by a family court judge who will issue an order incorporating the terms.
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