If you have heirs and “things” and money, then you need a will. Having a will doesn’t guarantee the situation won’t turn sour, but it can help preserve your intentions. The question is, is going DIY good enough, or do you need to lawyer up?

 

DIY from scratch

It’s important to know that while you can write your own will, you must adhere to the laws of your state. States can specify everything from a written or typed will to the number of witness signatures you need, so do your research.

• List what assets you own and which ones are designated to someone through your will
• Decide if your “things” are free for family members to take – remember that all items have a value, and sometimes that value isn’t financial
• Be very clear when assigning things and people, so there isn’t any confusion later

 

Opt for online templates

Most online sites are set up to autofill your current state’s laws once you enter your address, removing much of the guesswork. They typically ask a series of questions that eliminate the chance of overlooking important assets or assignments.

• The cost of the service across several sites can vary greatly, so do your research
• You have an option to download ready-made forms and fill them in, rather than allow for the autofill style
• Online templates can spur questions and situations that you might not think about if you’re writing from scratch

 

Leave it to the experts

Experience and knowledge come at a cost, but it might be well worth the expense if your estate is complex.

• Lawyers are resources and can provide unique solutions to your questions
• Business succession is complicated and requires expert guidance to do correctly
• Some lawyers are happy to review your DIY will for a small fee
• By having your legal documents professionally created and reviewed, it leaves you the peace of mind that your estate will be handled correctly

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