How To Create A Will
Hire a Professional
It goes without saying that hiring a professional is the most secure way to form your will or trust. Attorneys and accountants are best equipped to help you decide how to manage your estate, either through a trust, will, or both, as well as prepare the necessary documents. The more complicated your estate, either through diverse investments and property, or number of beneficiaries, the more you should rely on a professional to ensure any documents are properly and legally formed. Otherwise, you risk hitting your beneficiaries with tax penalties or invalidating the will altogether. When in doubt, consult the experts.
Online Legal Services
There are also legal services available online that use attorneys or paralegals to assist you in forming your will at a much lower cost. If you want the security of a professional, but without the price tag, a quick online search will lead you to licensed will preparation help. Most offer guarantees for your beneficiaries if there is a problem with the will after your death. However, while these companies use licensed attorneys and paralegals, there may be drawbacks to how specific you are able to get with your estate.
DIY Will
If your estate is fairly straightforward and costs are an issue, you may consider preparing your will on your own. Templates can be found at most libraries, office supply stores, and online. After you prepare the document, you will need to execute the will according to the laws of your state, typically by signing in front of a witness and having the document notarized.
Tip: to save costs on professional services, if you prepare the will yourself, you can always hire an attorney or accountant to review. This review will be less expensive because you did most of the preparation beforehand, and you still get the peace of mind of knowing everything is in proper order.