Legal Definitions - Valuable papers

Definition: In estates and trusts law, valuable papers refer to important documents that are necessary to carry out a decedent's wishes. These documents may include wills, power of attorney forms, title documents, stock certificates, and letters to be opened after one's death.

Examples:

• A will is a valuable paper because it outlines a person's final wishes for their assets and property after they pass away.
• Power of attorney forms are valuable papers because they give someone else the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the person who signed the form.
• Title documents are valuable papers because they prove ownership of property or assets.
• Stock certificates are valuable papers because they represent ownership in a company and can have significant financial value.
• Letters to be opened after one's death are valuable papers because they may contain important information or instructions for loved ones.

For example, if someone passes away and their will cannot be found, it may be difficult to distribute their assets according to their wishes. Similarly, if someone becomes incapacitated and does not have a power of attorney form in place, it may be difficult for someone else to make important decisions on their behalf. Valuable papers are important to ensure that a person's wishes are carried out and their assets are distributed properly.