
A will is a written statement that details what a person wants to be done with their property when they pass on. It addresses how the property will be divided, who will be the guardian of the children in case you have any, and also who will be the executor of the wishes. It is always advised to prepare your will to ensure that you do not die without one. This is because when you do so in New York, you will die intestate, and the state will divide your property in a way that may not conform to your original wishes. Also, the court will have a hard time deciding on who will take care of your children if the other parent is also not available. Therefore, it is advised to take some time to draft a will, no matter how scary it may feel.
When it comes to a will, the number one question on most people’s minds is if they need an estate lawyer to do it. The answer to this is that you do not need an attorney to write a will for you. You can do it yourself, as many online platforms offer those services. You probably have seen internet advertisements already on this, and they will not cost you much, with others being free. However, there is a catch. If you do not have much in your estate, you can use these platforms. However, if you have assets and significant money that you will need to be inherited, it is recommended to seek the help of a lawyer. Below are some of the reasons why.
- A lawyer will help you with any questions that you have on how to leave your assets to your loved ones. They will advise you on the best way forward.
- They will also help you disinherit a loved one if you are in such a situation. They will ensure that there is no way that the disinherited party will discredit the will.
- They will help you with long term medical care arrangements, as they are well experienced.
- If you want to create a trust for your children or spouse, they will help you out.
- Most of the companies that will sell you a form will not give you an attorney, witnesses to the will, or even a room for the execution ceremony. Also, if the will is examined in court, they will not testify on your behalf.
- Most of these do-it-yourself forms are invalid. This is because people tend to do it wrong, rendering them invalid, and no one wants such a situation as the court will have to make the decisions for you.
As seen above, having a lawyer do your will is very crucial, especially if you have children under the age of 18. Contrary to most people’s opinions, drafting a will is fast and is not that expensive as you might think. Contact your lawyer today and get started to avoid any unavoidable circumstances in the future. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!