Will Lawyer
If you want to draft a will, you might have considered going the do-it-yourself route. There are a lot of DIY will templates available online, and they are certainly cheaper than hiring a lawyer. However, when you are dealing with something as important as a will, it might not be wise to choose the DIY route.
Here are several problems associated with DIY wills.
They May Not Consider State Laws
Estate planning laws can differ from state to state, and these laws can change quite rapidly. However, DIY wills might not take that into account. If your will doesn’t conform to the laws in your state, the judge will consider it invalid. That is one reason to hire an experienced will lawyer. He or she has extensive knowledge about the estate planning laws in your state and ensure that your will adheres to these laws.
They Won’t Correct Your Mistakes
Drafting a will can be quite complicated. If you don’t have a legal background, you might not understand some of the complex legal language in these documents, which can cause you to make mistakes. Even a small error can make your will invalid. DIY software won’t be able to catch your mistakes. An estate planning lawyer, on the other hand, can.
They Won’t Offer Suggestions
Another problem with DIY estate planning software is that it can’t offer suggestions on how to make your will better. That is another good reason to work with a qualified estate planning lawyer. A lawyer can provide you with solid, unbiased advice. For example, your lawyer may advise against giving your 18-year-old child an entire inheritance in one chunk.
You May Need to Update Your Will in the Future
If you use DIY will software, it may tell you that once you create your will, you are done. However, most people need to update their will multiple times throughout their life. Whenever you experience a major change in your life, such as a divorce or birth of a child, it is necessary to update your will. That is why it makes sense to work with a skilled estate planning lawyer. He or she can help you make the necessary changes to your will and look out for your best interests.
Schedule a consultation with a will lawyer, like one from W.B. Moore, to discuss your estate planning needs.
