32
Finally stopped doing my own will after watching a friend's estate go sideways
I used to just write up my own will using a template I found online. Figured it was good enough since I don't have much property or money. But after seeing my buddy's family spend 8 months in probate court in Sacramento because he didn't sign it with the right witnesses, I realized how dumb that was. I paid a local lawyer $300 last month to do it proper with notary and all. Now I sleep better knowing it'll actually hold up if something happens. Has anyone else here had a homemade will backfire on them?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
cole99417d ago
OH man, I totally get this! I did the SAME thing with a free online template and thought I was being smart saving money. My cousin's will got thrown out completely because nobody could prove he was of sound mind when he signed it in his living room alone. I ended up paying a lawyer $350 and it was the BEST money I ever spent, seriously worth it for the peace of mind alone.
8
seth_harris3617d ago
Yeah but $350 is actually pretty good. Most estate lawyers around me charge like $500 minimum for a basic will. Your cousin's situation is exactly why I tell people you gotta have witnesses who aren't family members. Two people who don't stand to inherit anything. That's the real trick people miss with those online forms. They think just signing it is enough but the requirements are different state to state.
3
robertb4717d ago
Gosh, that story about your cousin's will hits hard. It's crazy how something so simple can get blown up because of one missing detail, you know? I had a friend who used a free form online and somehow the date wasn't on the last page, so it looked like he signed a blank page after the fact. His family fought for months over it, total nightmare. $350 for a lawyer is a steal compared to that kind of headache, honestly. Glad it worked out for you in the end, man.
1