Writing a will is all about preserving your assets and having control over their distribution upon your passing. Therefore, quite understandably, many people go it alone and draft their will themselves, for several reasons. Some people, for instance, feel that if they want something done right, they have to do it themselves. Of course, though this may be true for several things, it is not necessarily true when it comes to writing a will.
Additionally, some people see the irony of paying someone to preserve your assets as unnecessary. Both of these arguments are completely understandable, however, they are a bit off-base. Please read on to learn more about why you need an estate planning attorney to help draft your will. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Should I write a will without an attorney?
While there are online kits, tutorials, and articles at your disposal regarding how to draft your own will, almost everyone who knows the ins and outs of the estate planning process will tell you it is not a good idea. Writing an effective will takes a strong understanding of the law. If you misphrase even one tiny detail, it can completely derail your original plan, without you even knowing it. This is not uncommon, however, with the help of an estate planning attorney, it is actually completely avoidable.
What are the requirements for a will to be valid?
A valid will in the state of California must meet the following requirements:
- It must be in writing.
- It must be known to be a will.
- It must be witnessed by two people.
- The witnesses must understand they are at a will signing by hearing the testator proclaim this fact.
Once you are done creating your will, you must consider all other facets of a comprehensive estate plan to ensure your affairs are handled as you intended upon your passing.
Why should you have an estate plan?
Estate plans can make arrangements going far beyond your finances. For example, many people use an estate planning attorney to help them establish guardians for their children, should they have an untimely death. In other cases, people hire estate planning attorneys to set up trusts or appoint executors to oversee the distribution of their assets upon passing. If these are things that matter to you, and we assume they are, then please do not hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable, compassionate, estate planning firm for assistance.
Contact our experienced California firm
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney, such as Jaci Feldman of the Woodland Hills, California, Law Office of Yacoba Ann Feldman, will ensure that you are taken care of when you need it most. Contact The Law Offices of Yacoba Ann Feldman to schedule a consultation today.
