Your Will

As an early step in estate planning, you may be tempted to write your own will. There are some excellent reasons why you shouldn’t. While do-it-yourself wills may be cost-effective and make the process of will creation relatively simple, they also have shortcomings.

DIY wills tend toward the basic and generic. The more complex your estate, the more their templates, and language may prove insufficient. They are written to comply with laws in all 50 states, but not necessarily laws specific to your state. Estate tax law itself can vary widely from state to state. (A person who owns homes or rental property in multiple states, for example, may be poorly served by a DIY will.)

Their fine print warns you not to trust them fully. Typically, a DIY will contains a disclaimer that tells you to consult an attorney, stating that the information they present does not represent legal advice.

Write or revise your will with the help of estate planning professionals. The expense is worth it, especially if your estate is not small.