Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney for a Simple Will?

Estate planning can be a complicated and emotional process, especially for those with significant assets and people they wish to leave their property to, but what about those who wish to have a very simple Will?

Even if you have few assets, or wish for everything to go to one person, there are a few reasons why having an attorney to guide you through the estate planning process may be important:

Legal Requirements for a Valid Will

In Florida, Wills have certain legal requirements that must be met in order for them to be valid. In addition to an attorney assisting you to ensure your Will is valid, your estate planning attorney may also provide additional language in your Will to ensure it is probated without requiring testimony from a witness to the Will, which can lengthen and complicate the probate process.

Advanced Directives

Aside from having a Will to dispose of your property, other documents may be important to have drafted to ensure you are cared for in case of an emergency, such as a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney. An estate planning attorney may be able to advise you as to what documents you may need in addition to your Will.

Ancillary Property

If you have property in another state, your Will in Florida may not dispose of that property. An estate planning attorney may be able to assist you in preparing documents to ensure that property out-of-state is disposed of as you wish.

These are just a few reasons why contacting an estate planning attorney may be a good idea, even if you only need a simple Will. If you are considering drafting or amending your estate plan, contact our office today for a consultation.

This article is not intended to be legal advice nor create an attorney-client relationship.