A will allows you to take charge of your assets and liabilities, leave them in responsible hands and mitigate any possible conflict that may arise (or might already be simmering) on inheriting your hard-earned possessions. Without a will, the court takes charge, and its decisions may or may not be in your favor.
Unfortunately, creating a will is a tedious process. Where to start and how to maintain clarity and transparency are key questions that could nag you during the process.
A holographic will, more commonly referred to as a handwritten will, is one that you write. While it can be valid in court, it has to go through scrupulous probation before being considered binding.
Even a small discrepancy can spell out huge trouble for you, especially if you’re unable to oversee the distribution due to sickness or demise.
Are you contemplating drafting a will? That seems like a lot of work. But don’t worry; no one is going to blame you if you’ve found yourself in a bit of a pickle. Take our advice, and hire an apt lawyer for the job.
In this article, let’s discuss five reasons why hiring a lawyer for your will is the best decision you can make. So, without further ado, let us get straight to the topic.
-
The lawyer deals with all the legalities
Understating the law is a challenging and exhaustive process; lawyers have to study its ins and outs, sit through multiple exams, get a license and then be eligible to practice. This requires time and years’ worth of dedication.
The point is if you’re thinking of writing your will, you probably don’t want to invest the same amount of effort into it. What you want is a quick and easy solution to your predicament so that you can give time to your career interests and responsibilities.
A lawyer can assist you by handling all the legal mumbo jumbo so that you don’t have to wrack your brain over the probation process for the will. With a lawyer on board, you can avoid the hefty amount of homework required for the job and get a valid will in your hands hassle-free.
-
Make the will crystal clear
An unclear will can easily be challenged in court by the opposing party. This entails that they can misconstrue it to their own advantage.
However, an experienced lawyer has written countless wills before working on yours, hence can identify any loopholes and devise ways for you to avoid them effectively.
Furthermore, if there is any discrepancy or any kind of ambiguous statement made by a handwritten will, this could lead to long, notorious court battles. And in the end, cause your beneficiaries to suffer by delaying the process of inheritance.
A lawyer will cater to you around the clock, answer your legal queries and advise you regarding your estate plans. They will also write your will in such a way to reduce the risk of conflict later on.
-
Expedite the process
Courts have thousands of cases to attend to. Therefore, they are always in a hurry to get done with each as soon as possible, so they can move on to the next.
A will, if not drafted properly and is not up to date with the probation code or has not covered any legal aspect; such a will does not receive approval in court and wastes both their time as well as yours.
To expedite the process of validating your will, seek professional advice from a lawyer and allow them to devise the will on the latest framework. No one can rebuke it if a lawyer is with you to back up all your decisions in court.
-
Help reduce tax burden
Nobody enjoys heavy taxes on their property. Especially beneficiaries who would have to pay heavy taxes on property passed on to them.
If you don’t want your children or your beneficiaries to suffer from the same fate, a lawyer can holistically guide you on how to reduce your tax legally. While charity and gifting are some commonly known methods, only a lawyer knows which one suits you best.
In addition, it is pertinent to note here that, nowadays, online services can also aid you in devising a solid will. By answering a series of questions and avail of one-on-one lawyer consultations, you can resolve any confusion from the comforts of your home.
-
Act as your proxy
You are a busy person, or perhaps very active due to health issues or familial or work responsibilities. This means that you cannot be at the beck and call of the court 24/7.
The good news is that by hiring a lawyer, you have them represent you in court and act as your proxy in your absence. Whether this is due to the reasons mentioned above or even after your demise, the lawyer is fully capable of handling the affairs and acting in your best interests.
Moreover, they will be available to make continuous revisions to your will during your lifetime and ensure that all decisions you make prove fair and highly lucrative to you and your beneficiaries.
They can also guide you on opening a trust in case you plan to have your assets distributed within your lifetime and ensure vulnerable groups like minors, the disabled, or the old get their share.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, a lawyer is your safest bet on writing the clearest, concise, and comprehensive will. By giving you expert legal advice on reducing tax liability and acting as your representative in court, one can rest assured that their estate is in responsible hands.
Whereas some family members or the court may not give the same care and consideration to your case, your lawyer definitely will.
Hope this article is of great help to you and you got the necessary information about the merits of a lawyer and convince you to hire one before writing a will.
