Is a Do-It-Yourself Will Legal?

Learn Why DIY Wills & Living Trusts Kits Are Too Good to Be True

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A Will is a legal document that instructs how who will receive the benefit of a decedent’s estate. A Will does not need to be prepared by a lawyer to be considered legally binding. An individual may choose to personally craft a Will without the help of an attorney; however, in order for the Will to be considered valid, the grantor (person drafting the Will) must strictly follow rules that control Will validity for the Will to stand up in a Probate court.

When the testator (maker of the Will) passes away, the Will becomes one of the most important documents presented in Probate court, in which the validity of the document is determined. If the Will in question is rendered invalid, it will have the same consequences as dying intestate – without a Will. In this case, the court decides how your estate is managed.

The Shortcomings of a Do-It-Yourself Will

Do-It-Yourself Wills must be executed properly in order to stand up in court. Some of the common complaints about Do-It-Yourself Wills include, the complex legal wording of the questions, difficulty in customizing it to include unique family situations, and many surviving family members claim that the deceased’s Will is not up-to-date.

A Do-It-Yourself Will doesn’t provide the same benefit as consulting with an attorney. An attorney can discuss with you options about your dependents from adoption, other marriages, or dependents with special needs receiving government funding. An attorney can also discuss ways to provide ongoing income for your heirs through charitable Trusts.

Learn More About Wills

Don’t let an easy-to-download Will form decide how your family will benefit from your estate. Help ensure that your beneficiaries receive the financial support they need even after you’re gone. Download “Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Wills and Living Trusts” and learn more about the potential risks involved with drafting a Will on your own.

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