One of the things that many people overlook when they're considering their final estate planning is the importance of an attorney to help draft and finalize your will. If you have decided that it's time to create your will, you might be wondering if you really need to pay for the services of a lawyer. The truth is that an attorney can be a beneficial investment for drafting, validating, and filing your will. Here's a look at some of the benefits of working with a lawyer for your will.
Professional Guidance
One of the biggest decisions that you'll need to make is if your estate can all be distributed through your will or if you need to establish a trust for anything. That's one of the single best reasons to work with a lawyer. Any lawyer that specializes in estate management, wills, and trusts can help you assess your financial situation, your estate, and your desires to help you determine if a trust is necessary or beneficial in your situation.
Validation
Many people overlook the fact that a will can be contested even after they pass away, leaving the family in upheaval until the court's ruling. If you work with a lawyer to draft your will, this reduces the risk of having it contested because you'll have a legal professional involved who can notify the court that you did, in fact, complete the will as it's written, intended the will to be executed as it stands, and were in sound mind when you did so. This can go a long way to helping you keep your estate out of probate and prevent legal battles between your beneficiaries.
Ensure Legal Compliance
Establishing a will that can legally be enforced isn't always as easy as you think. Every state has specific requirements for a will to be considered valid, and many people are unaware of those details. As a result, you could make a mistake that renders your will null and void. Working with an attorney will prevent that from happening because they are familiar with the legal requirements and will ensure that your will is compliant and enforceable as it is.
These are just a few of the many reasons to work with a lawyer to draft your will. Although many states do allow for a will to be created by yourself, you can see here that it's often best to work with a lawyer anyway. Reach out to a local wills attorney today for more guidance about your estate planning needs.
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