Do I Need an Attorney to Help Write my Will?

deceased person's death

Though we live in a world where we have all kinds of information at our fingertips, some things are best left to a professional. While we completely understand the very essence of writing a will is saving and preserving your assets, it may do you a world of good to appoint an attorney who is more than familiar with the will-writing process.

If you are someone who is on the fence about getting professional help writing your will, please read on. Though of course, you may think, “They just want my money,” the truth is, there are countless stories of wills-gone-wrong, and you do not want to be one of them. Here are some of the questions you may have regarding your options going forward:

Do I need a lawyer to write my will?

While no, you do not need a lawyer to write your will, it is always best practice to hire one. There are several online will-writing kits at your disposal, and maybe even certain blogs or youtube videos will tell you that you do not need an attorney’s assistance. However, unless you have an incredibly basic estate plan, you are setting yourself up for various potential legal pitfalls by not hiring an attorney. Even then, it is always best to pay a small fee in comparison with the peace of mind knowing everything will be settled according to plan upon your passing.

Writing a will by yourself is complicated, and even if you are a fantastic writer, you must be extremely careful with the language you choose. Even if your diction is perfectly clear in your mind, what you mean and what you write can be considered two completely different things when taken in a legal context. For your family to benefit to the fullest from your will, do yourself a favor and reach out to one of our experienced estate planning attorneys.

What else goes into an estate plan?

Estate planning is an extremely document-heavy and involved process, where you can create things like powers of attorneys, establish trusts, appoint executors, guardians, and more. These are all very sensitive, pressing issues in our lives, so though creating a comprehensive estate plan can be a daunting task, it is definitely worth doing. Hiring an attorney to create a solid estate plan may be the best investment you ever make.

Contact our experienced Maryland firm

The attorneys at JD Katz have years of experience compassionately guiding clients in Maryland through the estate planning and administration process. Our firm also has experience with matters of elder law, business law, tax law, and litigation. For a legal team that will put your needs first, contact JD Katz today.