The downside of do-it-yourself wills is that you may be at risk of making a mistake in the execution of the document. The document has to be signed and witnessed in most states, and mistakes in execution can have negative consequences for beneficiaries. This is because companies that provide do-it-yourself will templates do not take responsibility for the execution of the document. Hence, they might not be as accurate as you would like them to be.
A DIY will also doesn’t include a residuary clause, which specifies how the estate proceeds are distributed. For example, if the deceased person had a son with a substance abuse problem, his son would have been disinherited. However, if the child had made a will, he could have made the same provision for his son. This would have prevented the child from going to jail and from getting a job.
Another disadvantage of do-it-yourself wills is that you may end up having an invalid will, which will mean that your loved ones would get your money or property regardless of your wishes. The most important thing is to make sure that the will is signed, dated, and witnessed. Use a template that shows how to properly sign a document, and pay attention to spelling. You should include the names of the people you want to be named in your will in full. If you already have a will, it is best to destroy the old one and use the new one. You should also state that your old will is revoked by the new one.
Another option for making do-it-yourself wills is to use a service like Rocket Lawyer. This service is available nationwide, and while you do not receive legal advice, you can access a document vault to save time. Once you have created your will, you can download it and print it if you wish. You can also use the service to update your documents whenever you need to. However, you should consider this option only if you have a simple will.
Do-it-yourself wills are often cheaper than hiring a lawyer. Depending on your level of experience, you can make a will yourself at the cost of a few hundred dollars. These products are a great alternative to traditional lawyers, and may even provide you with more peace of mind. You can write a simple will yourself, but it is still wise to consult a lawyer before putting your name on a document.
DIY wills can be a great option if you’re not interested in hiring a lawyer. While you’re likely to save money, do-it-yourself wills can also have pitfalls. For example, a do-it-yourself will is not recommended if you have a complex estate or have minor children. But, if you’re worried about the cost, you can make a will using a do-it-yourself will template and sign it.
Bob Jones 