There are those who adopt a DIY approach to life and look for ways to economize by sidestepping the use of professionals and tradesmen when they can, but this is tricky business. The disclaimer “when they can” is operative here because there are some things that most people can indeed do on their own, and there are others that are best left to the experts.
These days you see legal forms marketed on the Internet for just about every purpose, and “do-it-yourself” will kits are one of them. When you consider the possibility of drawing up your own will, it is a good idea to recognize what will become of it upon your passing.
Wills have to go through the legal process of probate, and this involves the surrogate court examining the will for the purpose of determining its validity. The court then presides over the administration of the estate in accordance with the terms that are elucidated in the will. If any interested party wanted to contest the will or make a claim against the estate, their arguments would be heard during probate.
The reason why you don’t draw up your own agreement when you buy a car or a house is because the precise verbiage in the contract is extremely important, and contingencies must be addressed. The same thing is true of a will. This is a legal matter with significant ramifications, and it calls for the expertise of an experienced probate attorney who is familiar with the laws of the state in which you reside.
In any endeavor, most of us implement a risk vs. reward equation when we are trying to weigh the pros and cons involved in a given situation before making a decision. Clearly, there is significant risk involved in trying to draw up your own will, and for all intents and purposes, there are are no potential rewards.
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