You may frequently see commercials on television or advertisements on the web for online will document tools that apparently offer individuals with guided questionnaires and templates to build legal Last Will and Testaments and other estate planning documents. While this may seem convenient, you must also account for the complexity of your overall estate, the imposed state-specific requirements, and other extenuating circumstances that may make it more likely for you to make errors within these documents. In fact, using one of these online tools may be the first mistake you can make with your will document. With that being said, please continue reading to learn the common mistakes made when creating a will and how an experienced Butler County will preparation attorney at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC, can help you avoid them at all costs.
What are the common mistakes people make when creating a will?
While it is arguably the simplest estate planning document you create, there is much room for error when it comes to your Last Will and Testament document. Without further ado, below are the most common mistakes that our firm witnesses quite often:
- A testator may not confirm that another individual is willing to serve as the executor of their will.
- A testator may not assign a contingent beneficiary if the primary beneficiary is unable or unwilling to accept a gift.
- A testator may not appoint a guardian if their children are still of a minor age at the time of their unfortunate passing.
- A testator may not name a digital executor if their primary executor is unfamiliar with handling and managing digital assets.
- A testator may not account for Pennsylvania’s inheritance taxes and federal estate taxes that may unduly burden their beneficiaries.
Why should I hire an attorney when creating a will?
At Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC, we have helped countless individuals draft and establish their Last Will and Testament documents. And so, there is no need to unnecessarily struggle on your own when you can rely on our years of experience and insight. Looking at the bigger picture, there may be serious consequences even if the simplest error is made in your will. That is, the Pennsylvania probate court may deem it invalid and unenforceable. This means that your estate may go into interstate, and your property and assets may be distributed according to the state’s estate laws rather than your explicit personal wishes.
In addition to helping you draft your original will document, we may offer assistance should you need to update it after experiencing significant life changes. For example, if you get a divorce, welcome a new child into your family, or otherwise. Again, there may be serious consequences if you do not follow the proper legal procedure for amending or replacing your existing will document.
If you find yourself in need of legal aid, look no further than one of the skilled Butler County estate planning & probate attorneys. Whether you simply have a legal question or require legal representation in an upcoming court case, our team at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning, LLC is willing to help out. Please pick up the phone and call us today.
