Beware Free Last Will and Testament Template Forms
I know what you're thinking when it comes to drafting your will: "Isn't there just a simple template will form I can download and just say that John Smith gets my stuff? Why do I need to spend thousands of dollars with a lawyer?" Well, there's good news and bad news.
The bad news is that a "free last will and testament form" is almost certainly a bad choice for you.
The good news is that you do not need to spend 2, 3, or 5 thousand dollars with a lawyer.
There is an alternative that is a fraction of the cost of a lawyer and gets the same benefits for 95% of people out there.
What's Wrong With Free Will Templates? The biggest problem with free will templates is that no one template can possibly be legal in all states.
Not only does every state have different laws regarding wills and estates, but some of the laws are mutually incompatible.
For example, some states recognize "holographic" (handwritten) wills.
Others do not--a handwritten will in these states is unenforceable and the court will treat the estate as if no will was ever created.
Secondly, these form wills do not provide for changes in the future.
What if you move to a new state? Does the free form update itself? Do you know how to update it? Does the cheesy website that you downloaded the form from offer customer service where you can email or even speak to a live person? The Next Best Alternative To "Free" Will Templates Somewhere between free (but useless) will forms, and a $250/hr attorney, is the highly efficient legal document preparation industry.
The internet has allowed companies to hire great lawyers and great programmers to create software that can ask you simple questions through your web browser and craft a legally binding will with all the provisions right for your situation.
Just as accounting software like Turbotax can replace tax-prep professionals for most people, quality legal document preparation companies can create a valid, customized will for you at a fraction of the cost of an attorney.
For around $100, you can create a customized and valid will that is legal in your state, which also includes unlimited revisions for up to one year.
Click on this link to find out more about drafting a simple will for your family without leaving your computer.
The bad news is that a "free last will and testament form" is almost certainly a bad choice for you.
The good news is that you do not need to spend 2, 3, or 5 thousand dollars with a lawyer.
There is an alternative that is a fraction of the cost of a lawyer and gets the same benefits for 95% of people out there.
What's Wrong With Free Will Templates? The biggest problem with free will templates is that no one template can possibly be legal in all states.
Not only does every state have different laws regarding wills and estates, but some of the laws are mutually incompatible.
For example, some states recognize "holographic" (handwritten) wills.
Others do not--a handwritten will in these states is unenforceable and the court will treat the estate as if no will was ever created.
Secondly, these form wills do not provide for changes in the future.
What if you move to a new state? Does the free form update itself? Do you know how to update it? Does the cheesy website that you downloaded the form from offer customer service where you can email or even speak to a live person? The Next Best Alternative To "Free" Will Templates Somewhere between free (but useless) will forms, and a $250/hr attorney, is the highly efficient legal document preparation industry.
The internet has allowed companies to hire great lawyers and great programmers to create software that can ask you simple questions through your web browser and craft a legally binding will with all the provisions right for your situation.
Just as accounting software like Turbotax can replace tax-prep professionals for most people, quality legal document preparation companies can create a valid, customized will for you at a fraction of the cost of an attorney.
For around $100, you can create a customized and valid will that is legal in your state, which also includes unlimited revisions for up to one year.
Click on this link to find out more about drafting a simple will for your family without leaving your computer.
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