What is the classification of forgery when it involves altering a deed or will to defraud?

The classification of forgery, particularly when it involves altering a deed or will with the intention to defraud, is categorized as a Class B felony. This classification highlights the severity of the crime, reflecting the significant implications such an act can have, including the potential to impact property ownership, inheritance, and the legal rights of individuals.

Forging important legal documents such as deeds and wills poses a serious threat to the integrity of legal transactions and trust in the legal system. The law treats these offenses more seriously than lower-level forgery crimes, due to the potential for widespread harm and financial loss to victims.

Moreover, the classification as a Class B felony often carries severe penalties, including substantial prison time, which underscores the gravity of the offense and the need for deterrents against such fraudulent activities. Recognizing the increased risk and the detrimental effects on victims, the law aims to impose stricter punishments for crimes like these, which directly impact property rights and personal legacies.

Other classifications, like Class A, C, or D felonies, are reserved for different types of offenses or degrees of severity and do not accurately capture the seriousness of altering high-stakes legal documents. In summary, classifying the act of altering a deed or will to defraud