6 Myths People Believe About Drafting a Will

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6 Myths People Believe About Drafting a Will

Everyone should draft a will, irrespective of age and economic status, because life is uncertain, and no one knows how long they will live. Writing the last testament will ensure that your assets go to the people or organizations you care about. If you die without drafting a will, unfortunately, your assets will be owned by the court, and the court will decide their fate. Therefore, all adults are encouraged to draft a will to create a roadmap for the division of their assets in the event of death.

There are various types of wills accepted in the US. However, the most common type of the last testament is a simple will which has an easy-to-follow format, and can be easily drafted at home. Still, if you find it challenging to write it yourself, you can take the help of a legal advisor or hire a professional will writer to write it for you.

Drafting a will is a simple and straightforward process. However, many people find it difficult and time-consuming. Various resources are available online that can help you draft a will. Moreover, several will creation and management agencies help you create a will and allow you to update it throughout your life.

Many people are unaware of the various will writing resources and agencies available online. They believe in several myths associated with drafting a will and consider it a lengthy and tiresome process. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss myths that people believe about drafting a will.

1. Drafting a Will is Expensive

Many years ago, this myth might have been true when the internet was not mainstream. However, it is not true for the present day. You can easily access various will drafting resources online, compare the prices of different agencies, or ask around to find the best possible help at affordable prices.

You can search for the best estate planning attorney online. An estate planning attorney will charge you an affordable fee. Other than that, there are not many costs associated with writing a will. Just make sure to do your research and compare the fees and prices of different attorneys and agencies to choose the best and most affordable one for your case.

2. Only People in Certain Situations Draft a Will

Many people, especially younger people, believe that only the elderly, people with health problems, newly married couples, or new parents need to draft a will. It is not true, and while some people may consider it morbid, people of all ages, irrespective of their health or marital status, should draft a will. A will is an essential document you must write as soon as possible, regardless of your situation.

Life is uncertain, and it is better to sort your estate while you are alive so your family won’t have to face any issues afterward. If you pass away without drafting a will, your assets are owned by the court, and the court finalizes the final fate of your assets. Therefore, drafting a last testament ensures that all your assets go to people, organizations, or issues you care about instead of the court deciding it for you.

3. Drafting a Will is a Time-Consuming Process

Many people keep delaying the process of writing a will because they believe it to be a tiresome and lengthy process. However, it doesn’t take more than a few hours to draft a will these days. If you have the resources to do so, you can simply pay someone else to do it for you.

If you plan to hire a professional will writer, choose a reliable person who knows all the legal requirements for a will to be acceptable in the court. Moreover, choose the most convenient and comprehensive method if you plan to do it yourself.

4. A Will Lasts a Lifetime

Many people believe in this myth that once you draft a will, it will last a lifetime, which is not true at all. You have to update your will throughout your life. A will is considered a living document, and you should regularly review and update it with any major events like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, and more in your life.

Even if your circumstances stay the same and no major life event happens, reviewing your will at least once every year is still recommended. You can set a reminder or review your will on a specific day, like, tax day every year, so that you don’t forget to perform this crucial task.

5.Drafting a Will is a Complicated Process

Drafting a will used to be lengthy and complicated, and rightly so because deciding the fate of your property and assets is not easy. However, with all the help available online, writing a will has become a simple process, and you can do it yourself.

Average Americans struggle with understanding the legal terms and aspects of writing a will and find it complicated. However, you can find the best estate planning attorney online and write a will with their assistance.

6. A Will Should Be Notarized to be Considered Legal

All states of the US have different requirements regarding the legal status of a will. Only one or two states in the US require a will to be notarized to be considered legal. The rest of the states consider a will to be legal if it has the signatures of the will writer and at least two witnesses.

Moreover, you also don’t have to file your will in court to make it legal. You can simply put it in a safe space and let your confidants know about it. Your will executor can file your will with the court after you pass away.

FAQ:

Q: What is a will? 

A: A will is a legal document that declares how you want your assets and property to be distributed after your death.

Q: Why do I need a will? 

A: You need a will to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes and not by the laws of intestacy, which may not reflect your preferences.

Q: How do I make a will? 

A: You can make a will yourself, with the help of a lawyer, or by using an online service or software. You should include the following information in your will: your name, address, and age; a declaration that it is your last will and that you are of sound mind; the names of your beneficiaries and what they will inherit; the name of your executor and how they will be compensated.

Q: How do I register a will? 

A: You do not have to register a will, but it is advisable for safekeeping and proof of validity. You can register a will at the office of the sub-registrar of your district by paying a nominal fee and submitting a copy of the will along with your proof of identity and the witnesses’ details.

Q: How do I change or revoke a will? 

A: You can change or revoke a will at any time before your death by making a new one that clearly states that it supersedes the previous one or by destroying the old one.

The Wrap Up

Drafting a will is a simple process, and everyone over the age of 18 should draft a will. 

Writing a will ensures that all your assets go to the people and organizations you chose instead of the court. There are various myths regarding the process of drafting a will. Many consider it to be an expensive, time-consuming and complicated process, which is not true in the present day. Other myths that people believe to be true include that a will lasts a lifetime, only old and sick people need to draft a will, and notarization is necessary for a will to be considered legal. Hopefully, this article will help you understand the truth behind these myths.

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