Estate Planning #1: Why Bother?

I’m not dead – why should I have a Will?  Because once you’re dead it’s too late. 

Planning how your estate will be distributed – calmly, with advice, and thoroughly – will save money, save stress (to your heirs), and prevent lawyers spending most of your life’s saving while your family fights.

A well-written Will:

·         Shows you were aware of your legal and moral duties;

·         Sets out your intentions for distributing property;

·         Accounts for expected changes (e.g., more children/grandchildren);

·         Appoints a guardian for young children;

·         Prevents disputes between people claiming against your estate;

·         Reduces legal expenses of carrying out your instructions; and

·         Creates peace of mind – for you and your heirs.

A bad Will almost guarantees a bitter, expensive lawsuit.  All the legal expenses are likely to be paid by your estate – for everyone’s lawyers.

How much will a good will cost? 

It’s the old saying: You can have cheap or good.  Lots of notaries and low-end law firms will prepare a Will for a few hundred dollars.  In the case of Notaries, this will include ZERO legal advice (they have no legal training).  The lawyers will give you maybe 20 minutes.  Most of the work will be done by a secretary, using a fill-in-the-blanks form.  This is for a document which will be read when you’re dead, and any mistake, omission, or confusion will cost tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Can I use a “will kit” from the drug store?

Will kits?  You bet.  Did you also do your own knee replacement after watching a YouTube video?  Spay your own cats? 

Most people will pay for plumbers, electricians, car mechanics, and computer techs. They want to have someone who knows what they’re doing. But when it comes to the one job you can’t check — because you’ll be dead when the work gets tested — people want to wing it.

We charge a lot for Wills.  Like, thousands.  Because that way the lawyers can spend the time that is needed to do it right.  If it’s too much for you, that’s ok.  Please give our card to your children, spouse, etc.  We’ll make far more money in the lawsuit caused by a cheap, sloppy Will than we would to do it right in the first place. 

A good Will is a clearly thought-out, clearly-prepared, clearly-written document.  That’s why you need Clear Legal advice.