If you have decided to make a will, but are not sure how you are going to create it, you only have two options: you can do it yourself (this is a risky option) or you can hire an experienced will attorney to help you make a will. Both options have their own distinctive advantages; however, choosing the correct option will depend on your specific needs.
Advantages of hiring an attorney
Having an experienced attorney write your will can give you some peace of mind, as you won’t have to struggle to draft the will. A good attorney can ensure that the will complies with state laws and provides the best possible tax advantages for your heirs and estate, and takes the details into account in your specific circumstances.
In short, you will feel more confident and satisfied that the document produced will remain in court even if it is contested, and that all your wishes will be carried out as you wish.
When to hire an attorney
There are circumstances when hiring a good attorney to write the will for you is the least risky option. You should hire an experienced attorney if you have large assets in multiple states or countries, have remarried, have minor children or are in a same-sex relationship, own a small business, or own assets worth more than $ 2 millions. or you believe that your will may be challenged. An experienced attorney can also be a very good idea if you do not understand the online forms you have purchased or think the forms do not meet your specific needs.
Advantages of making your will yourself.
The main benefit of writing a will yourself is that the cost incurred will be very small. Lawyers can generally charge several thousand dollars to a few hundred dollars to draft a will. However, the price of ‘do it yourself online’ programs will generally cost between $ 30 and $ 250. While writing the entire will just for yourself will cost you nothing. If your bequests and assets are straightforward and very simple, and you are carefully complying with state laws, writing a good will without having to hire an attorney generally shouldn’t be a big deal.
Considerations
If you decide to write a will without the help of an attorney, be sure to carefully research all applicable state laws, particularly with regard to marital inheritance laws, signing the will, and any witness-related requirements. Also, you should write all your wishes as clearly as possible because the slightest ambiguity in a will can invalidate it. If you are going to use an online program to draft your will, be sure to read all instructions carefully and follow them exactly. Some of these online programs will advise you to have an attorney review all your documents after you have prepared the draft, you should. This will give you more peace of mind and save you money.