There are many steps involved in making a will. Fortunately, working with your attorney means that you’ll have the right guidance throughout the process.
While some people do use do-it-yourself-style applications to create their wills, it’s a better idea to talk to your attorney and have them walk you through the process. When you make your will, you will need to:
- Select the people you want to have as your beneficiaries
- Choose an executor
- Choose guardians for your children or pets
- Explain who you’d like to have receive what of your property
You should also remember that you will need witnesses when you sign your will. Those people may not be allowed to be those who are set to inherit assets from your estate, so you may prefer to work with your attorney’s office to find those witnesses and to have them there when you’re ready to sign the will.
Is a will all you need for your basic estate plan?
A will is a good first step, but it’s certainly not all you need. There are other things you will want to do, like creating trusts or setting up health care proxies. These are additional legal items that you may want to talk about when you create your will, but they aren’t necessarily covered or created by one.
If you’re ready to set up your will and to get started on your estate plan, your attorney can talk to you about the process and what to expect. You may want to reach out for a consultation and ask about which items you should bring when you’re ready to start planning.