5 Simple Tips for Creating Your Own Last Will and Testament

As time passes, many of us quickly begin to realize that life won’t last forever. Eventually the day will come when we will take our last breath and say our last goodbye. And when we do, everything we have collected and worked on will be in the hands of a single document: your Last Will and Testament.

But creating a final will can be a daunting and expensive task, especially for those without legal writing experience. That’s why we’ve created this list of five simple tips to help you get started creating your own Last Will and Testament.

TIP #1: There are free templates available to help you

The Internet is filled with thousands of articles, templates, and links to various websites that offer assistance in creating your last will. We tested approximately five different websites and also solicited feedback from our members. In general, most agreed that LegacyWriter.com was the easiest and most comprehensive source for creating your last will.

At Legacy Writer, they offer a free template that is easy to use and navigate. Their system takes you through an “online interview” wizard that asks specific questions about you and your possessions. Since it will likely take some time to complete, you can create a free account and save a draft of your will, allowing you to come back to it at a later date. When it’s complete, you can have it mailed to you or you can print it instantly. They even provide a set of instructions on what else you need to do to make your document “official” so that it conforms to the laws of your state.

And if you decide you’d like to create a living will or power of attorney as well, they offer affordable templates for those, too.

TIP #2: Find out who will become the executor of the estate

An executor is the person entrusted with the responsibility of finalizing your affairs. They are the person you designate to distribute the property that passes under your will. They also arrange the payment of debts and expenses, and see that what is left is transferred to the people who are entitled to it.

The law does not require an executor (also called a personal representative) to be a legal or financial expert, but it does require the highest degree of honesty, fairness, and diligence. Many times, the executor is a spouse, parent, child, close relative, or good friend.

Being the executor of a will can be demanding, and the person you choose may not feel up to the task, or may simply not have the time. Therefore, before making your role official, we suggest that you ask them if they agree to take on this role.

TIP #3: Be sure to mention your children

We know this may seem like something to automatically include in a last will to start with. But the facts are simple: not everyone does.

Most of the time, all we think of including is who will be the guardian of the child (if he is a minor) and who will take care of him if we are no longer around. But sometimes the relationship between you and your child(ren) is ‘tarnished’. And in these cases, more often than not that child is overlooked or not even mentioned in the Last Will and Testament.

Whether or not you plan to give everything to one of your children, or if you plan to disinherit your children, you must specifically address those wishes in your will. The reason for doing this is to clearly emphasize to the court that you did not forget to include your children in the document. If you intentionally leave nothing to your children and don’t mention them at all, they may challenge your will and claim that you forgot to leave them an inheritance (even if that was your intention).

TIP #4: Define your burial wishes

Many times what ends up happening in a Final Will is that we focus too much on the materials and people that we are leaving behind, without thinking about ourselves. Without clear instructions on what to do with your body, your executor and/or next of kin may disagree, causing them additional stress, upset, and possible legal fees if they decide to go to court.

Whether it’s a casket, urn, or something else, be sure to state your specific wishes for a final resting place. If you’ve already selected a burial plot, pre-arranged or pre-paid for your funeral, or if you’d like to be buried next to someone specific, don’t forget to mention those details as well.

TIP #5: Consider the help of a lawyer

We understand that hiring a professional is not always an option. But writing your own will without the help of a lawyer can cause problems down the road that end up costing more money to resolve than to resolve. the cost of hiring a lawyer from the start.

So, at the very least, we suggest doing some research first.

Ask your family and friends if they have any recommendations for family attorneys who can offer advice or help creating your final will. Look up “family lawyers” online to see if there is someone local who can help you. Visit their website and find out what specific experience they have in drafting a final will. If you are considering an attorney out of your state, make sure they are familiar with your state’s laws and can create a will that your courts will officially recognize.

Read their reviews online and ask if anyone you know has worked with them. Narrow down your list to perhaps the top five candidates and ask what their rates are. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the costs involved in retaining an attorney are more affordable than you thought, especially with many firms offering partial advances and payment plans.

In conclusion: With the help of these tips, we hope you’ll find that creating a last will and testament may not be as difficult as you think. In its most basic form, this is simply a document containing your last wishes. So be sure to give it some thought, mention anyone who is a part of your life, and keep up to date as time goes on. Because the effort you put in today will help ensure that the loved ones you leave behind spend more time commemorating your life rather than remembering it. fighting for it.