Do I Need an Attorney to Write My Will in PA?
In today’s day and age, many people question whether they should write their will on their own. This is a very good question, and below, our experienced Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys will address it. Please continue reading and speak with our firm to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Can I write my will without hiring an attorney?
While in many cases, yes, you can write your will without hiring an attorney, the truth is, doing so is seldom a good idea. There are various online will-writing kits available to individuals, and many of them even purport to be free. However, the truth is, anyone with significant knowledge of estate law will tell you it is extremely risky to attempt to write your will on your own. This is because, no matter how great of a writer you are, and how clear you think your intentions are in your will, the truth is, even a simple, apparently insignificant misphrase can drastically alter the meaning, and therefore outcome, of your will. This will cause your assets to be distributed not according to your wishes, and, oftentimes, it will cost your family time and money to sort out your will after you pass. This is why it is well worth it to pay a small attorney fee upfront and take care of your will now so that your family does not have to pick up the pieces in the long run.
How else can an estate planning attorney help me?
Of course, though your will is a huge part of your overall estate plan, you should also consider hiring an estate planning attorney to help you draft various additional documents, including powers of attorney, guardianships, trusts, and more. Powers of attorney give trusted individuals the legal authority to make certain key decisions on your behalf, should you ever become incapacitated. By establishing a power of attorney, you can have someone manage your finances, make health care decisions, and more on your behalf. Additionally, if you are a parent, you should ensure you create a guardianship, as this will legally appoint someone you trust to raise and care for your child, should you and your spouse ever become unable to do so on your own. If you have any additional questions about the estate planning process, please do not hesitate to speak with our Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys today. We are here to help.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA FIRM
Whether you are dealing with matters involving estate planning, estate administration, or elder law, you need a legal team you can feel confident will represent your best interests, every step of the way. We are that legal team. Contact Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning today so we can get started.
