Should I Hire an Attorney to Draft My Will?
Seeking legal help for document preparation is sometimes beneficial. Attorneys can draft many types of legal documents, such as wills, mortgages, deeds, car notes, written agreements, contracts, and more. Are you wondering if you should hire an attorney to draft your will? While you aren’t legally required to hire an attorney to put your will together, there are many benefits to doing so. This guide will provide you with the reasons you should consider hiring an attorney to prepare a will.
Reasons to Hire an Attorney to Draft a Will
Preparing a will can be overwhelming if you are doing it on your own. You may easily be able to listen to videos and look through various other resources for assistance, but nothing beats having an attorney draft it for you.
A will attorney can help you do all of the following:
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Drafting a will
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Helping your family make sure that your wishes are implemented
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Assist in any legal proceedings as they arise
Experienced attorneys can take care of various angles of probate and wills. But, you must first check to make sure that the attorney you hire can deal with both.
Here are several reasons to hire an attorney to draft your will.
Ensure all Components are Addressed
Wills are not just created to divide property among your loved ones. Wills can also be drafted to include various types of assets. For instance, you can designate guardianship of a minor, name a person to take over your estate, and even place some of your assets into charity. Your attorney can go over everything with you to ensure that your will is correctly drafted to include all of your disputes.
Legally Binding
While you can certainly draft a will on your own, hiring an attorney to do it ensures that the document is legally binding. This means that your will would be valid in court. Additionally, depending on the state you reside in, statutes change all of the time. This basically means that you must know what template to use, as it should be up to date and coincide with your state’s requirements. The best way to ensure that you have an up-to-date template is by hiring an attorney.
To Negotiate Family Arrangements
Maybe you were married but now divorced. Or perhaps you have children with a previous partner. No matter the dynamics of your family, an attorney can assist in making the necessary arrangements that coincide with your current situation. Your attorney can also help in upgrading the most important documents if your current conditions change.
Reduce Tax Burdens
You may have concerns about tax implications, especially if you have a large estate. Tax implications can have an effect on the beneficiaries. Your attorney can go over the different options you have to help reduce your loved one’s tax burden as it pertains to the law.
Keep Your Interests Protected
There are so many documents that can go along with a will. Some of these may even go into effect before you pass away. For instance, a healthcare power of attorney gives another person the ability to make critical medical decisions in your favor if you become unable to care for yourself. Life is unpredictable, hence the reason an attorney can assist you with putting your will together.
Avoid Mistakes
Many times, a will that is done yourself may be written in a rush. If you make the choice to put together a Will on your own, it is easy to make mistakes. It is also common for many people to name the wrong executor accidentally, or even leave assets out. However, an experienced attorney will ensure that nothing is excluded. Read More – Five Important Laws You Should Know
