Things To Consider Before Writing Your Will Yourself

13 July 2020
 Categories: Law, Blog

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While nobody wants to write their own will, doing so will help you have control over what happens to your assets and you can make life much more difficult for your family. You could write your will entirely on your own without the help of a probate lawyer, but there are several reasons why this can backfire.

What If You Don't Write a Will?

If you fail to write a will, your property will go through a probate process know as intestate succession. This process is very expensive and can take a lot of time. Your estate will simply be split up by the laws of your state which may not be what you intended. However, it's important to know what will happen because if you make a mistake with your estate, your will might not be considered valid and the responsibility might fall on the state to determine what becomes of your assets. Therefore, you might be better off speaking with an attorney.

DIY Wills Might Not Meet Your Unique Needs

DIY wills are designed to be as simple as possible so they can meet the legal requirements of all 50 states. There may be issues that a DIY form might not address. If your estate is very complex, you should especially not use a DIY will. If you would like to write your will yourself and have a lawyer look over it afterward, you can make this decision. Or, you can have your will entirely written by your lawyer and you can then review and sign it.

Another benefit of hiring an attorney is that you will have several other essential estate-planning documents that you will want to fill out. By hiring an attorney who understands your situation, she can better help you with each of these steps.

Appointing an Executor

One of the most important parts of completing your will is appointing an executor. This individual is responsible for managing your estate after you pass away. If your estate is not very complicated, anyone can be your executor. However, if you have a very complicated estate, you must speak with an attorney about who should be trusted to be the executor. One option is to appoint both a member of your family and an attorney as joint executors. The attorney will help guide the executor through the more difficult parts of managing your estate so you can have your voice heard.

For more information on wills, reach out to a company like Wright Law Offices, PLLC.