When people start looking for information about making their own will, they are often bombarded by internet offers that claim you can make your own will cheaply, easily and quickly. While some of these offers are legitimate, they are no substitute for the expertise and experience of a qualified attorney. Though an online will may be legally valid, that doesn’t mean it is the best document suited to your needs and your particular situation.
All states have very specific laws that govern what has to be included in your last will and testament for it to be legally valid. Most of these laws are quite simple and only require you to meet a few basic hurdles, such as being of age, mentally competent and having your will witnessed by two adults. However, there are many other factors that go into creating a will that, even though not required by law, will ensure that you are able to pass on as much property to your heirs as possible.
When considering an online legal document company or will provider, it’s important to note that these companies may not be reliable or completely up-to-date with changes in the law. Also, online document preparers cannot give you legal advice about what decisions to make when creating your will or whether doing so is in your best interests. You may, for example, be much better off by first creating a trust to which you can transfer ownership of all of your property.
Online will preparation services or will creation software may seem like it is a great idea because it offers a cheap and easy solution, but it will never be able to take the place of a skilled attorney who can carefully evaluate your estate planning situation. Even if you do choose to go with an online option, always have an attorney review the document. You may be surprised at what you missed.
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