If you have decided to make a will, but are not sure how to do it, you only have two options: you can do it yourself (this is a risky option) or you can hire an experienced will attorney to do it for you. help you make a will. Both options have their own distinctive advantages; however, choosing the right option will depend on your specific needs.

Advantages of hiring a lawyer

Having an experienced attorney draft your will can give you some peace of mind, as you won’t have to struggle to write the will. A good attorney can ensure that the will will comply with state law and provide the best possible tax advantages for your heirs and estate, and will account for the details in your specific circumstances.

In short, you will feel more secure and satisfied that the document made will stand in court even if it is contested, and that all your wishes will be carried out as you wish.

When to hire a lawyer

There are circumstances in which hiring a good lawyer to draft the will on your behalf is the least risky option. You should retain an experienced attorney if you have large assets in multiple states or countries, have remarried, have minor children, are in a same-sex relationship, own a small business, or own assets worth more than $2 million or more. Do you think your will can be challenged? An experienced attorney may also be a very good idea if she does not understand the online forms she has purchased or believes the forms do not meet her specific needs.

Advantages of making your will by yourself.

The main benefit of writing a will yourself is that the cost incurred will be very low. Lawyers can generally charge anywhere from several thousand dollars to a few hundred dollars to draw up a will. However, the price of do-it-yourself online programs will generally be between $30 and $250. While writing the entire will just for you will cost you nothing. If your bequests and estates are straightforward and very simple, and you are carefully following state laws, writing a will without hiring a lawyer should generally not be a big problem.

Considerations

If you decide to write a will without the help of a lawyer, be sure to carefully research all applicable state laws, particularly regarding spousal inheritance laws, will signing, and any related witness requirements. Also, you should write all of your wishes as clearly as possible because the slightest ambiguity in a will can invalidate it. If you are going to use an online program to draft your will, be sure to read all instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Some of these online programs will have a lawyer review all your documents after you have prepared the draft, you must report. This will give you additional peace of mind while saving you money.