Most people assume you know what you want. However, the fact is that most people don’t really know what they need or want. DIY estate planning presents more challenges than dealing with a team of experts, especially when you are dealing with complexities of family life and trust language.

Doing your own DIY wills online 

Be Wary 

You cannot know what you do not know. You are aware that there are a number of ways to dispose of your wills in case you die. You may not know the entire body of case law and legislation which has evolved into the probate code of your state.

In case you do choose to work with an attorney with a specialization in estate planning, you should interview at least two people. By doing this, you’ll get a sense for the way each handles customer relations, billing, follow up and his or her personal succession. You may already have contacts in your area who can recommend you to a good estate planner.

Regardless of how you decide to get your plan finished, DIY and with the assistance of an experienced attorney, do obtain your estate plan completed, and soon. Life can throw up unexpected events that require your estate plan.

How online wills function 

A will is one component of a will which explains your final wishes and how you would want your assets to be distributed after your death. Wills are typically written by a lawyer, but today you are able to get a legally binding will for much less money (and with minimal work) by using online will services.

While a probate lawyer can demand more or less USD 250 an hour for their services, an online will is a DIY approach to ensuring your estate is in order as well as your loved ones is looked after must you die.

Without having a will, a court action – not you or your family – might decide how your property and estate is split.

What is an online will?

Online wills are similar to a traditional will, except it’s a legal document that can be drafted by a lawyer. They are produced without the assistance of a live professional, though nearly all online will services do supply some amount of guidance. Many will ask you for details that will help you create your will, like a summary of property, who you would want to act as guardian for your minor age kids and who’ll be the executor (the individual you design to handle your estate and execute your will after your death).

When determining who’ll inherit your assets, you will need to take into account all of your retirement accounts, bank accounts, insurance policies and other investment accounts.

Your online wills can be considered valid and legal as long as it is properly put together and is in compliance with your state’s estate laws. This’s exactly why it is very important to choose a trustworthy company that specializes in online wills.

Whatever happens, a well-prepared will have to clearly declare that the individual creating it’s of sound mind and that they intend to bestow their assets. Wills should be signed by witnesses who have no interest in the outcome of the will, in addition to the signature of the will creator.

Are online wills a wise decision?

You will find advantages to developing a web based will. For one thing, it lets you know that if you should pass, you’ll be able to put in place a will. Online will services have made the process simpler and less intimidating for everyone, thanks to their simplicity. In addition, it can be done from the comfort of your own home, which means you don’t have to travel to different attorneys. 

Doing the work on the internet also can get the task done quicker than going with a conventional lawyer, and the price is typically significantly cheaper. (More about this in a moment.) Online wills are not for everyone however. 

They can be very helpful for those with simple estate planning needs but may not be enough if you have a complex estate or have a large personal estate. When drafting a will, especially if you have stepchildren, are divorcing, or own multiple properties, you may need the services of an experienced estate planning attorney. The same is true for business owners who intend to include in their will all of the assets of their company.

What are the costs of creating online wills?

The price of producing online wills can vary considerably based on the service you make use of. For example, sites such as DIY Will are free. 

Just remember that not every online will businesses are created equal. Some people may not have the skills to produce a living trust or will that’s valid in your state. In addition, some platforms include additional benefits you might find useful. This includes safe online storage of documents or the ability to get in touch with an attorney in case you’ve concerns. Doing some research before you decide on a will provider is the best way to go about your search.

Not needing to notarize your online wills

If You’re wondering whether or not your signed will should be notarized, it’s a good idea to check first. Without it, a correctly prepared will may be legal and legitimate. However, some witnesses may also sign a self proving affidavit to verify that they actually witnessed the signing of the document. A notary is required for this.

Moreover, it is best if you keep your will in a secure place. It is possible to do this with secure digital storage provided by many online companies. In case you do choose to keep your online will on an individual computer, then encrypting your files will provide you with an additional layer of security.

Regardless of where you store it, make sure your executor and your loved ones know where to locate it and how to get hold of it.