Can I Do a Will Myself?

Many people believe that since they aren’t rich and won’t have many assets to leave behind, they don’t really need a will. Others think that they should probably have a will, but that it costs too much, or that their situations are simple enough that they should be able to write a will themselves. While there are many do-it-yourself options, there are several issues to consider if you are thinking about doing your own will.

First, your situation may not be as simple as it seems. Without an assessment of your situation with an experienced estate planning attorney, you may completely miss some issues that your will should address. If your do-it-yourself will leaves something out, then Michigan probate and estate law will determine how to handle that issue. The outcome may not be what you contemplated, and, in fact, may be the last thing that you wanted to happen. This is just one reason to avoid making your will without legal advice.

Next, you face different tasks or issues in your life every day. Some of those tasks you can do on your own; other tasks you don’t know how to do, or you don’t have the tools to do, or you simply don’t want to do. So how do you handle those tasks? You call a professional to help you. If you don’t know how to change the oil in your car, you may take it to a garage where a mechanic can change the oil. If you need to have your appendix removed, then you go to a hospital, where a surgeon will remove it. The same goes for wills or any legal document. You didn’t go to law school, you don’t know all of Michigan’s estate planning laws, and you could very easily do something wrong that makes your will invalid or forget to include something important in your will.

A will is a central part of estate planning, and it is often the most effective way that you can decide how your assets should be distributed after your death. However, as you can see, doing it yourself is not the best idea. Whether you wish to pass on assets to certain heirs or to designated charities, we are here to ensure that your will distributes your assets the way that you intended. The Michigan elder law attorneys of Legacy Law Center have helped countless individuals set up individualized estate plans to carry out all of their wishes after death. Contact our office and set up an appointment with one of our experienced elder law attorneys today.