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The Biggest Problems with a Do It Yourself Will

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Making a do it yourself will can be tempting. After all, there forms available on the Internet and kits you can buy. You may not want to go through the trouble of finding and working with a lawyer to make your will, and it can seem a lot easier to just take care of your estate plan yourself in the comfort of your own home. do it yourself will

Unfortunately, this is a really bad idea for a lot of reasons! Your will and your entire estate plan is going to shape your legacy and determine the impact you make on future generations long after you are gone. With something this important, you cannot take a chance on an uncertain process that may not result in your desired outcomes.

You should talk with a professional estate planning lawyer who has the knowledge and training to help you make an estate plan that actually works for you and the people you love. Call Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC today to find out more about why a do it yourself will is a bad idea and to discover what an estate planning professional can do for you.

Why a Do It Yourself Will is a Bad Idea

There are a lot of reasons why a DIY will is a bad idea. Some of the biggest problems with a do it yourself will include:

  • The possibility of mistakes. If you don’t follow the law and write an enforceable will, you could find yourself with a will that isn’t going to be probated. Of course, the errors may not be discovered until after your death when it is obviously too late to correct the issue. Intestacy law could end up determining what happens to your wealth.
  • The increased chance of a will contest: If you make a DIY will, there could be a greater chance that someone is able to successfully contest your will. Your family could end up in a big ugly fight if your will is contested and your will could end up being invalidated so your wishes aren’t respected.
  • The loss of the opportunity to make a truly comprehensive estate plan. The estate planning process should not just include making a will. You also want to address issues related to estate tax, make sure your assets are kept safe and not lost due to creditors or nursing home care costs, and ensure that your heirs inherit property in a timely manner. A will is not necessarily going to accomplish everything you need, or even most of what you need, to make certain your assets transfer in a desired manner.
  • The possibility your will is going to be incomplete: You could leave out important clauses and fail to take care of essential issues, such as naming a guardian for minor children, if you do not get the right estate planning advice.

Depending upon the complexities of your estate, you could also face other major issues with trying to create a do it yourself will. Don’t leave your legacy up to chance and try to control your entire family’s financial future with some documents you find online or a kit you buy in a store. Get professional legal help from a trained attorney who knows how to help you make the right estate plan for your family.

How an Estate Planning Lawyer Helps With Your Will

When you work with an estate planning lawyer, you do not have to worry about making mistakes that result in your will not being enforced or that leave your wishes unclear. You do not have to worry about your assets being vulnerable to loss such that you are left with no legacy.

An experienced estate planning lawyer will work hard to ensure that you use available legal tools to keep your wealth secure and use it to make a difference for charities and for future generations. Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC assists with wills, trusts, advanced directives, incapacity and Medicaid planning and more so you can ensure you have the type of comprehensive estate plan you need to leave a strong legacy.

Getting Help from A Vermont Estate Planning Lawyer

Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC can provide help with making your will and with taking care of other essential estate planning tasks that you need to do to leave a secure legacy. To find out more about how you can take care of your loved ones, protect your assets, and avoid family fighting after your death, download our free estate planning worksheet. You can also get personalized advice and assistance with the estate planning process by giving us a call at (802) 879-7133 or contacting us online today.

Stephen Unsworth
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