Composing a last will and testament is a daunting task, one that nobody looks forward to, and matters are only made worse by the horror stories we hear about wills found to be legally invalid after the writer's passing, leaving friends and families of the deceased in the lurch. To avoid experiencing such horrible events, do you need a lawyer to make a will?
The last thing we want is to cause our loved ones any more distress after our departure, so it can be tempting to hire a lawyer to compose our will in order to get everything done by the book and avoid potential posthumous upset.
So, do you need a lawyer to make a will? In fact, you may believe that hiring a lawyer is the only way to make your will, but this isn't the case.
Many don't realize, but there are no rules or regulations that require a lawyer to write, consult on, or even be present as you compose your final wishes. Now, you can craft a comprehensive and completely legal will from the comfort of your own home.
The Legality of Wills: Do You Need A Lawyer To Make A Will Or To Settle An Estate?
When talking about legality of wills, the first thing that comes to your mind is the question, "do you need a lawyer to make a will?".
Okay, so you're probably wondering do you need an attorney to settle an estate. Well, if you're making your will on your own, the onus falls on you to make sure it meets the requirements of your state, but if you're making your will online with Wills.com, you're never alone.
The truth of the matter is that, when you use our service, there are solicitors involved behind the scenes; you just don't have to deal with them.
Here at Wills.com, we have a top legal team in charge of crafting the forms of your will, ensuring all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Our attorneys are officially licensed legal professionals, capable of wording documents so that they comply with all state and federal law.
What About Notarization - Do You Have To Have A Will Notarized?
Depending on your state of residence, you may be required to have your will notarized and signed by two to three witnesses, but how do you do so if your will only exists on your computer? Well, the first thing you'll do after completing your will is print it off, so you have a physical copy.
Once printed, you can gather your witnesses and head to a notary republic to finish proceedings once and for all. Remember, your will is likely the most important document you'll ever fill out, so be sure to store your physical copy in a secure location.
The Evolution of the Last Will and Testament: Is Online Will A Good Idea?
The idea of writing a will online may seem a little strange to you, especially as, in all likelihood, you lived a lot, if not most, of your life before the internet was popularized, but the transition to digital wills is simply one more step in the evolution of the will.
Wills have been written since the times of Ancient Greece, and since then, the world has changed considerably. In order to ensure their relevance, the concept and process of writing a will has morphed to fit the times we live in. These amendments are only ever made to make wills easier for people to write and fairer for your inheritors.
For example, it used to be against the law for possession to pass from a male to a female. These days, that's simply not acceptable, so the laws have changed, ensuring that you can pass your belongings on to whomever you please after your passing.
Another significant modern change to wills is the ability of the writer to disinherit heirs should circumstances change, ensuring your most recent wishes are fulfilled.
The move to the online sphere is just the natural next step in the progression of the last will and testament, a way to make a rather disconcerting task a little less demanding.
Why It's Better To Make Your Will Online With Wills.com
We understand that writing a will can be an emotionally taxing, and extremely stressful responsibility, which is why, here at Wills.com, we're dedicated to making it as simple and intuitive as possible.
Writing your will with us is easy
Visit Wills.com today, and you can make your will from the comfort of your own home. So, make yourself a cup of coffee, throw on your favorite music or TV show, stay in bed... whatever helps you to relax. Our user-friendly website and digital forms will guide you through the rest.
If you have any questions about wills or the online will-writing process, you can consult our comprehensive FAQ Library, or perhaps even read some more articles like this one on our Learning Center pages. Don't worry if these resources don't have your answer, as you can always ask us directly by filling out this contact form. We pride ourselves on our quick responses, but if you'd like some immediate assistance, don't hesitate to call us.
Should you need a break partway through the writing process to seek out information, mull a few things over, or to simply take your mind off the matter at hand, you can do so. When you're ready to continue the process, return to Wills.com, log in to your account, and all the part-finished documentation will be there, just as you left it.
Writing your will with us is quicker
It's also much quicker to make your will online with Wills.com than to visit a lawyer and map things out in person with physical documentation. It takes a lawyer around 10 (expensive) hours to complete a will, but we'll have things done and dusted in as little as 15 minutes.
Writing your will with us is affordable
How much does it cost to make a will with a lawyer? Lawyers typically charge a flat fee of $2500–$10,000 or an hourly rate of $200–$500 per hour to write a will. Our full services are available for a minuscule fraction of those costs, and you can amend any details of your will for free at any point. There are no hidden costs or subscription fees. After the small one-time payment, the transaction is complete, and all aspects of your will are covered.