4 Reasons To Avoid DIY Wills

On Behalf of | Dec 27, 2018 | Firm News

Numerous articles have popped up in recent years telling people to make their wills without a lawyer. With the advent of the internet, it has never been simpler to make your own will, but you need to be cautious of this.

You want to have professional help when it comes to crafting your estate planning documents. You seriously jeopardize your loved ones receiving the assets you want to leave them when you write a will independently.

1. One mistake can make the entire document invalid

An attorney will make sure you sign everything properly to ensure the court abides by your wishes precisely. However, one error means the court could toss the entire document out. For example, if you fail to get witnesses to watch you sign the document, then the court will not follow it. It is a simple yet disastrous mistake to make.

2. You need to follow state law

The law regarding wills in Minnesota will differ from that in other states. When you make a will online, it is possible the site you are on abides by a different state’s laws. You can do this without realizing because there may be legal terms you are unfamiliar with.

3. Your terms could be unenforceable

There may be something you want to do with your will that is not enforceable by the courts. When you meet with an attorney, you learn what is and is not possible. Many people who make their wills want to leave assets to a pet, which is not enforceable by law.

4. It could cost you more in the long run

Most people want to make wills online because they believe it will be more affordable. While they may be true at the moment, you could fail to take advantage of tax savings in your will. Your loved ones may end up paying more in the long run because you wanted to save money.