An estate law attorney is a great resource in creating your will. Attorneys can write the will or evaluate an existing will, depending on your needs. Some of the best reasons to use an attorney are to ensure the language is clear and that your assets will be distributed as you wish.
But, it’s notable that Will, one of the most acclaimed writers of the English language, hired a lawyer ( Francis Collins of Warwick) to craft a very detailed will. DIY Will? Still, a common question I get all the time is, “Can I write my own will?
Write a do-it-yourself will if you need a short-term fix until you can hire a lawyer or if your situation is very straightforward -- say, you’re leaving everything to one person. But even small mistakes could cause problems down the road.
It’s simply a lot of work to write an estate plan. Without an estate plan, you and your estate may end up paying more in the long run in professional fees, court costs, and taxes. Using a flat rate with an attorney will be much more straightforward and to your long-term economic advantage.
Cut the Lawyer Out of Your Will? Write a do-it-yourself will if you need a short-term fix until you can hire a lawyer or if your situation is very straightforward -- say, you’re leaving everything to one person. But even small mistakes could cause problems down the road.
In fact, a will may be the most important document that you ever write, because it allows you to select the persons who will receive what you own when you die. If you don't have one in place, you cannot select the recipients of your property and the state you reside in will determine how your property is divided.
Here are some items that you should never put in your Will:Business interests.Personal wishes and desires.Coverage for a beneficiary with special needs.Anything you don't want going through probate.Certain types of property.
What are the Most Important Things to Put in a Will?Personal Information. This should go without saying, but your will should include basic information about you to be official. ... Last Will and Testament Verbiage. ... Property and Assets. ... Beneficiaries. ... Executor. ... Guardianship. ... Signatures.
You should store the original will until after the death of the client, or until you are able to return the original to the client. Some firms keep wills indefinitely, while others have a policy of holding the original will for fifty years from the date of its creation.
What should I include in a simple will?Property, like your home, vehicles, and other real estate you own.Bank and retirement accounts.Life insurance policies.Pets.Family heirlooms or personal items.
As long as it was properly signed and witnessed by two adult independent witnesses who are present at the time you sign your will, it should be legally binding.
What's a wipeout clause? In the very, very unlikely event that all of the people or entities you've named as beneficiaries have died or ceased to exist at the time of your death, you'll want a wipeout clause. A wipeout clause allows you to dictate the distribution of your assets if no beneficiaries are left.
Such an adult must have attained the age of 21 years under the Wills Act or the age of 18 years under the Wills Law of Lagos State. Anyone that falls below the age of 18 or 21, as the case may be, lacks the capacity to make a valid will in Nigeria.