Do I Need An Attorney To Create My Will?
You are a responsible adult who cares for his or her family, and as such, you’ve realized that you need a Will. You want to make sure that your spouse and children are provided for if something should happen to you. And you’re on the right track.
What’s the problem then? You’re torn between paying for a Do-It-Yourself, online legal form or hiring an attorney. Why would you pay more to hire an attorney to create something that you can do yourself for a couple hundred bucks?
The problem is this. Although you are an intelligent, capable person, you may not be familiar with the legal requirements for a Texas Will. There are very specific formalities that must be followed in order for a Will to be valid in Texas. If there are problems with a Will, witnesses may need to appear in court or the Will may be deemed invalid. These complications often add signifiant time and expense to the process of wrapping up your estate.
If a Will is found to be invalid, then money and property will pass in a way dictated by the State of Texas. The State is not able to account for special circumstances and does know your personal preferences. Your family loses out on the thoughtful, careful planning you may have tried to do.
An attorney can ensure that you don’t make serious mistakes that may invalidate your Will later on or cause your loved ones additional time and expense when probating your Will—that is, bringing it through the court process whereby a judge confirms (or denies) the validity of the Will and ensures it is proper.
In addition, when using a DIY form, you may not be creating a document that will work in the way you intend. Although a DIY form may have prompts to help you make selections, it does not have the ability to look at the big picture or answer questions specific to YOUR circumstances. An online form can’t have a discussion with you about what you’re trying to achieve for your family or offer (and explain) the different planning options that may apply to your unique situation. No family is the same, and Wills are not one-size-fits all.
An attorney, on the other hand, will meet with you to get to know you—What are your planning goals? Who do you want to benefit? What is the best way to benefit your loved ones? Are you trying to protect your children’s inheritance from future divorce? Do you have a business? Do you have multiple pieces of real estate? And the list goes on.
We, at J Duplechain Law will guide you through the process of creating a Will that makes sense to you and works the way it should. We are with you every step of the way—from the planning and design phase to signing your finalized documents.
Let’s have a quick, no-pressure chat to find out how we can help you create a great plan.
Whether you work with us or another law firm, having a Will (and comprehensive Estate Plan in general) will help your family avoid needless complications when wrapping up your estate.
We strive to provide all of our clients with the peace of mind that comes with creating a Will as part of a thoughtful, comprehensive Estate Plan.
