The Do-It-Yourself Will Can Be a Bargain or a Bust

A majority of Americans (about 66%) don’t have a written will, and for most, it’s something they’ve postponed until later. It’s natural to think about assets as you age, and if you don’t have children or many assets, and you’re OK with your closest blood relative (a parent or sibling) getting your property outright, you can probably get away without having a will. But that’s not recommended.

Money points out in “4 Things You Should Know Before You Make Your Own Will,” the definition of “closest blood relative” and the procedure of dividing your assets can vary significantly by state. So if you have some ideas as to where your assets should go, it’s worth the time and effort to develop a plan in writing. Sure, you can give it a go with a Do-It-Yourself. If you die without a will, it doesn’t matter what you wanted.

If you’re going to try the DIY route, you need to understand your state laws, such as the fact that in some states, a handwritten will may not require any witnesses. Only half of states accept these wills as legally binding. On the other hand, a newly typed will requires two witnesses’ signatures to be valid just about everywhere. However, an older typed will that was executed in a state like Vermont or Georgia, which used to require three witnesses, will be subject to the old requirements unless it’s updated. Starting to get a little complicated, yes?

You should also be aware of any state estate or inheritance tax. If your state has this, you need to prepare for it. About a half a dozen states impose an inheritance tax—that means your heirs who live in that state will have to pay. Another 12 states impose an estate tax, which gets paid on your overall assets (in addition to the federal estate tax).

A will doesn’t cover all of your assets. Anything in joint name or payable to a named beneficiary, like life insurance policies or 401(k)s, is outside the control of a will. You can create transfer-on-death or payable-on-death designations for checking, savings, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; and U.S. bonds.

Once you’ve taken care of these items, you need to write out your intentions. Make sure you use the right language, like spelling out who you are and the purpose of the document. You should also be specific, like including full addresses when identifying the property and a complete description of personal property. In addition, use the full names of beneficiaries, not “my wife” or “my child.”

You also need to designate an executor you trust and let him or her know where to find your will. Name a secondary executor or a co-executor in the event that your first choice can’t carry out the task or predeceases you. Along those same lines, appoint a guardian for minor children.

Finally, the most difficult aspect of a DIY will is trying to think of all the contingencies. That’s where an estate planning attorney can really help you. While a handwritten will won’t cost you a penny, in most states, a will drafted by an attorney can cost a few hundred dollars. Think about this especially if you have a larger, more complex estate. There are important federal estate tax considerations.

Paying a little more now for a good, legally drafted will can save your heirs money, headaches, and heartache. This can be especially true when you have beneficiaries not designated by your state intestacy statutes. If your surviving family aren’t the designated successors, they may have to spend a significant amount of money fighting over the assets to which they’re entitled.

Reference: Money (August 17, 2016) “4 Things You Should Know Before You Make Your Own Will”