Can I Make My Own Will in Georgia?

REAL ESTATE PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING IN WOODSTOCK GEORGIA | HARDEN LAW FIRM

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With the enormous amount of information at everyone’s fingertips on the internet, we often turn to a DIY mentality in many aspects of our lives. I will be the first one to admit that I self-diagnose myself after a quick search on the internet anytime I get the sniffles. However, this mentality can result in undesirable consequences when it comes to your estate plan.

The Dangers of DIY Wills in Georgia

We have seen a trend in our Georgia estate planning law firm where our clients come to us with their DIY Wills from the internet that “just need some updating.” As we go through the Wills with our clients, their general reaction is usually shock when it is explained to them how their estate would have been handled under their current Last Will and Testament. About 99% of the time, when a client comes to us with their internet Will, we end up having to draft a completely new one due to the original Will being done so incorrectly that it couldn’t be saved with a codicil (a will amendment).

Accidental Disinheritance: A Common Risk with DIY Wills

One of the most dangerous consequences of making your own Last Will and Testament is when a loved one gets disinherited by accident. We had a client who accidentally disinherited one of their children due to some improper terminology used in their Will that was created by an online service. You could imagine how that accidentally disinherited child might feel when they learn after their parents’ passing that they were “written out” of the Will. To add insult to injury, the child would have no idea the disinheritance was an accident.

Does Your DIY Will Comply with Georgia Law?

Another dangerous consequence of writing your own Will is that they often do not comply with all the state laws. I see it all the time when clients use an online automated service that leaves out important language required by the State of Georgia for a valid Last Will and Testament. Sometimes this could make the Will completely invalid (meaning it’s now kindling for your fireplace). Other times, it can still be considered valid, but it leaves out language that results in your beneficiaries having to go through extra effort to probate the Will when filing with a Georgia probate court. If you have gone through the effort to get an internet Will, chances are you want to make the process easier for your loved ones, not more difficult.

Why Consult a Woodstock Estate Planning Attorney?

Your Will is often the last opportunity to express your final wishes, and those wishes are often carried out long after you are gone, leaving them as permanent decisions with no answers to questions about ambiguities. So, when deciding how to make your estate plan, remember it’s not what you do know that hurts you—it’s what you (and the internet) don’t know that hurts you.

Already Made a DIY Will? We Can Help

If you find yourself in a situation where you have already made your own Will ( but want to make sure that it satisfies Georgia law) or are considering making a legal Will with the help of a local attorney in Woodstock, GA, give us a call today. We will set up a free estate plan review session with one of our Woodstock estate planning attorneys to discuss your options and ensure your family is protected, and no one gets accidentally disinherited. Call our office at 770-285-8229 to speak with one of our Georgia estate planning attorneys today.

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