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Heritage Tree LogoWhy do I need an attorney to write a will?

What can I include in my will? Do I really need a Pennsylvania will attorney to write my will? Is writing a will even necessary? If these are questions you’ve asked yourself about writing a will, we’ve got you covered. Continue reading to learn all you’ll need to know about drafting a valid will and the ways you can protect yourself and your assets after you pass. Reach out to your Pennsylvania attorney today to get started. 

Is writing a will for myself necessary?

Drafting a will is one of, if not the most important step in the estate planning process. Writing a will is necessary because it allows you to clearly outline how your estate and assets will be distributed amongst your appointed beneficiaries after you pass. The risk you take without writing a will is that your estate and assets could potentially be improperly distributed. Passing without a will can also lengthen the amount of time taken in court to complete the process which will also include added expenses. This also risks your assets being distributed to persons who you would have otherwise not included in receiving said assets. 

What can I include in my will?

You may appoint an executor to your will. An executor is a person who will ensure that your assets are distributed the way you intend. You can also include specific instructions regarding the distribution of your estate and assets in your will. 

Why do I need a Pennsylvania will attorney to write a will? 

Hiring an attorney to assist you in the process of writing a will is an important step. The reason you will want to use the assistance of an attorney is because they hold important knowledge and information about the estate planning process that is crucial in creating a valid will.

With this knowledge, the attorney will prevent you from any potential loss caused by pitfalls in the wording of a will. An attorney will understand all of the potential legal pitfalls that are possible in a legal document such as your will. A single misphrasing in your will has the potential to change the outcome to something that you may not be satisfied with. A Pennsylvania will attorney will prevent this from happening and give you a peace of mind that your will is valid.

How do I know if my will is valid? 

Pennsylvania state law requires a few qualifications for a will to be valid. Be sure to follow the following requirements to ensure your will is valid: The testator or the person willing to write the will must be 18 years or older, he or she must be mentally competent when creating his/her will, the testator must declare his/her will in the presence of two witnesses, and these two witnesses must also sign the will in the testator’s presence. 

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA WILL ATTORNEY

Whether you are dealing with matters involving estate planning, estate administration, or elder law, you need a legal team that 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.

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