My mom has a will and trust which are signed by her and her lawyer at the time -neither of these documents are witnessed/notarized?

I can only partly answer your question. My grandfather died in May. He had a will made over 10 years ago.It had never been signed by him at all.

It was basically worthless. It held no legal value or status in the state of Kentucky. Other state laws might be different.

A signed will with no notarization or witness will be took in consideration by a judge and valid to a degree. It just won't be a self proving will. -quote- Does a will need to be notarized?

No, a notary is not required in order to create a legal and valid Will. A notary is required in order to make your Will "self-proving". --end quote-- legacywriter.com/willcommon_questions2.asp I think having an will that isn't notarize could be contested by another family member... if they would win or not would be a different story.

The reason my grandfather never had his done, is because he didn't agree with the terms of the will. He was not happy with the way the lawyer wrote it out.It might be possible that your mother felt the same way. Maybe she is sure no one will contest it.

Maybe she knows that it is valid because her lawyer and her signed it. If you are a only child, there is probably no real reason to go further with proving the will. I really don't know how long estate lawyers keep documents.

The website in the source has a lot more information about this. I think it would be a wise idea to read it. It talks more in detail about things I don't feel I am qualified to answer.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.