Do-It-Yourself Wills

There are many different forms of do-it-yourself Wills. Many attorneys and legal advisors argue the veracity of most do-it-yourself Wills, though On the other hand, many other sources claim that even a simple, but concise handwritten Will, called a holographic Will, is sufficient for many basic cases.

Basic Wills

A general Will, the kind that can be found in hardcopy or through a software package in most office supply stores, is adequate for a single person with simple personal assets. Should Aunt Molly choose to leave everything to her sister, Aunt Jenny, then she can probably get away with a basic, statutory Will.

A holographic Will is one of the most basic. A holographic Will is handwritten and signed by the Testator, the person whose Will it is. In it they lay out their last wishes for distribution of personal assets. Generally, a holographic Will is likely to be legally honored, except for cases where it might be disputed or when complicated legal situations arise. For this reason, attorneys recommend that if you are committed to writing your own holographic Will that you take care to be knowledgeable about the state’s statutes. Also, make sure you are concise and clear about your wishes. Any ambiguity can lend discredit to your document.

The Argument Against Do-It-Yourself Wills

Most legal advisors recommend avoiding a do-it-yourself Will. They claim that the money saved doing it yourself will not make up for the cost incurred by the legal system and loved ones when a botched self-made Will is legally ignored. However, there are an increasing number of online sites that provide a variety of ready-made Wills that can be personalized for a reasonable fee. A few of these businesses are gaining in popularity as mainstream media stories promote the issues of living wills and end of life Wills.

Finding Sources

There are a countless number of sources for creating a Will yourself. Many people simply pick up a hard copy statutory Will at their local office supply store. Statutory Wills cover the basics and typically are designed for your resident state’s legal statutes. However, advisors recommend you review your state’s statutes regarding Wills and what is legally required.

Books offer advice and outlines for estate planning and what information to consider when drafting a Will. Check the reliability of any businesses, especially online businesses, that promise to legally review your do-it-yourself Will.

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