Creating a new will can be difficult, especially if it’s your first. There are a lot of things to think about, and a lot of important legal considerations to take into account.
Ultimately, it’s usually a good idea to speak with a lawyer about your will before signing it, especially if you have a lot of assets or a complicated estate.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when you’re writing your first will. Four important things to think about include:
- Understand That You Can Write Your Own Will
Although it’s recommended to speak with your lawyers when you’re creating your first will, it’s actually perfectly acceptable to do it yourself. If you do decide to write your own will then you should probably use a will kit, but it’s actually even possible to write one from scratch if you want to.
Once again, if you decide to go down this road, you need to make sure that you include all of the relevant information. Failing to do so could result in your will not being legally binding when you pass away.
- Make Sure You Include Enough Information
It’s very important to make sure that you include as much information as you can in your will. Doing this will keep things simple for your family and friends when you pass, because they won’t have to deal with assets not included in your will or brushed over without enough details.
- Think About Who You Want To Leave Things To
One of the most important things to consider when you’re writing your first will is the people that you want to leave things to.
It’s a good idea to make a list of these people before you even commence drafting your will, otherwise you might leave people out and have to start again.
Similarly, when you do start writing your will you need to make sure that you keep things very clear and specify exactly what you’re leaving to who.
- Choose Your Executor Carefully
The executor of a will is the person legally charged with making sure that your wishes are fulfilled. Basically, they have to work through your will and make sure that things are given to the correct people, and that everyone’s happy with the process.
It’s important to choose a reliable executor who you know will be able to fulfill your wishes. Usually, it’s a good idea to choose someone who you know well and trust, but who doesn’t have a large interest in the ultimate outcome of your will.
Final Word
Writing your first will can be an exciting process, but it’s one which you need to pay careful attention to in order to get it right. Since wills are extremely important legal documents, it can be a good idea to speak with a lawyer before you draft your first will.
However, it is possible to do it yourself if your estate is simple and you don’t have too many assets. The above tips should help you get started if you do decide to do this. Good luck!
