Dos and Don’ts to Remember When Writing a Will

Having a will is a crucial part of estate planning. A will allows you to make sure that your assets and possessions are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. It’s important to make sure that your will is written correctly and that it conveys your wishes accurately.

To help you create the best possible will, here are some Dos and Don’ts for creating a will from our estate planning lawyers :

Dos:

Consult With a Lawyer Who Specializes in Estate Law

If you are considering creating an estate plan, it is important to consult with a lawyer who specializes in estate law. Writing a will is a complex and detailed process that requires the expertise of an experienced attorney. An estate lawyer can provide valuable guidance on how to best structure your estate plan to ensure that your wishes are respected and your assets are protected.

Make Sure Your Will Is Written Clearly

Writing a will is a crucial part of planning for your future and ensuring that your wishes are carried out after you pass away. While the process of writing a will is relatively straightforward, it is important that the document is written clearly and accurately to ensure that your wishes are followed. Make sure to list out exactly what you want to happen with your assets and property. Be sure to include the names of any beneficiaries, such as family members or charities, and specify any details regarding the distribution of your assets.

Keep Your Will Up to Date

As life changes, so should your will. It is important to keep your will up to date so that it accurately reflects your wishes and intentions.

One of the most important reasons to keep your will up to date is to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. If you have recently acquired new assets, such as a house or a car, you should make sure that these are included in your will. Additionally, if you have recently gotten married, divorced, or had a child, you should update your will to reflect these changes.

Don’ts:

Don’t Include Anything That Could Be Considered Illegal or Immoral in Your Will

As a testamentary document, a will is one of the most important legal documents that a person can create. It is also one of the few ways to ensure that your wishes are carried out after you die. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you do not include anything that could be considered illegal or immoral in your will.

When writing your will, it is important to remember that it is a legally binding document. Anything that you include in your will must be in accordance with the law. This includes avoiding language that could be interpreted as endorsing or promoting illegal activities. This could include anything from encouraging the recipient to engage in illegal activities, to attempting to pass on assets which have been acquired through illegal means.

It is also important to avoid including anything that could be interpreted as immoral. This could include language that encourages discrimination or hatred against any group of people. It could also include anything that could be interpreted as encouraging someone to act in an unethical manner, such as lying or cheating.

Do Not Put Your Business Interests in Your Will

There are several reasons why you should not put your business interests in your will.

First, a will is a public document. This means that anyone who is interested in your estate can view the document and see exactly what you have included in it. This includes creditors, competitors, and other third parties. By putting your business interests in your will, you are potentially exposing valuable information to others. This could lead to exploitation or other issues in the future.

Second, a will cannot be changed after it has been finalized. This means that if you include your business interests in your will, you cannot make any changes to it after you have passed away. If your business or industry changes significantly in the future, or if you need to make changes to your business interests, this cannot be done.

Do Not Put Funeral Instructions in Your Will

Funeral instructions are instructions on how you would like your funeral service to be conducted, as well as what type of burial or cremation you would prefer. These instructions can be put in a separate document that is given to your executor or family members to ensure that your wishes are carried out. However, it should not be included in your will. This is because your will is a legal document that is used to distribute your estate and manage your financial affairs after death. It should not be used to dictate your personal wishes or funeral instructions.

Conclusion

It’s important to know what you should and should not do when writing a will. What we’ve shared here are just some of them. To learn more, you must consult a seasoned estate planning attorney.

Estate Planning Lawyers Colorado can provide you with legal guidance as you create your will and plan your estate. Schedule a meeting with our estate planning attorney today!