During COVID home quarantines many people realized they did not have a will and decided to take action. Many individuals went online to make a DIY online will because it was fast, easy – and didn’t require leaving their home. As estate planning attorneys, we want you to have a will in place to protect your loved ones and give yourself peace of mind. A DIY online will is better than no will – but if you decided to create a DIY will during COVID, it’s time to take a 2nd look.
An online will could end up costing you time and money. When you hire an attorney, the attorney is bound by laws that cover attorney-client privilege, ethics and work product. Online DIY will providers do not have the same obligations.
Now that the global pandemic is becoming more manageable and more people are able to leave their homes or schedule virtual appointments, if you created a DIY will during COVID it would be smart to hire an attorney to review the will.
1. To Ensure Your Will Is Legally Binding
Each state has its own laws governing probate, and they are frequently updated. If you used an outdated DIY will template, your will may not be legally binding. This means your heirs may not inherit what you want them to receive, or your will could be challenged in court by someone who is not a beneficiary.
2. To Minimize Estate Taxes
A will attorney can advise you on the best way to protect your assets and avoid unnecessary estate taxes that will limit your beneficiaries’ inheritance.
3. To Make Sure Nothing Is Overlooked
An experienced estate planning attorney will review your circumstances and make sure all your assets are covered and your beneficiaries are protected.
Creating or reviewing a will doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. And if you’re young, unmarried and have minimal assets, a basic will might give you peace of mind. But if you have more dependents, responsibilities and assets, creating a will with the advice of an experienced estate planning attorney will give both you and your family confidence and peace of mind.
Estate planning is preparing for the future. Contacting Estate & Probate Legal Group in Lombard Illinois today at 630-800-0112.