Do-It-Yourself (“DIY”) Estate Planning seems great, because why pay a professional for a job you could do yourself? Open the computer and a few clicks later you have a Will for what seems like a deal. However, when it comes to your Estate Planning do you really want to risk it to save a few dollars only to leave your family entangled with court costs and litigation? Creating a Will online creates risks in an area that will have lasting consequences. Mistakes in a Will can alter family relationships, leave family confused, disappointment, embittered, or locked in hostile litigation.
Things to consider before delving into the DIY project: who will be the guardian of your child and is that person capable; will you provide for a special needs child, what about divorce, marriage or death, or incapacity of a beneficiary or yourself; are property and accounts held separately, jointly, or in different states; who will be in charge of your estate; and what about tax-savings strategies.
Say you made your own Will, was it properly executed? Did you use dispositive (“I convey”) or precatory (“I would like”) language? Is your intent clear? The answers matter because if the answer is no, then the Will is void, and now your family is left without a Will.
There are many things to evaluate before drafting your own Estate Planning documents that perhaps may be best left to the professionals. Different States have different rules for all of the above-mentioned issues and the person drafting the documents should know those rules.
Who will be in charge of your Estate? Was your Will properly executed? Call AmeriLawyer today at (800) 603-3900 for answers to your Estate Planning questions.
Here at AmeriLawyer, our goal is to provide each of our clients with as much information as possible about Asset Protection, Trusts and Wills. We want you to know we are available to speak with you about any legal aspects of Asset Protection, Trusts and Wills at your convenience either over the telephone or in person at the Spiegel and Utrera, P.A., office nearest you.
Phone: (800) 603-3900
Email: info@Amerilawyer.com
