Why Drafting Your Own Will is a Bad Idea

Your last will and testament is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. And while I understand the desire to save money, drafting your own will is a bad idea.

Louisiana has very strict rules about what makes a valid will.  There are things that you can and cannot do with a will; certain language and clauses that must be included in a valid will; it must be properly dated and signed in accordance with the law; there are critical formalities that must be observed when signing a will; and there are specific requirements if the person making the will is physically impaired.  In the long run, DIY wills are more trouble than they are worth, especially if you live in Louisiana. 

Here are 10 reasons why you should not attempt a DIY will.

1. Most people do not know or understand the laws that make a will valid in their state;

2. The DIY will might not be executed properly in accordance with law;

3. Even if no one contests the DIY will, a judge could still consider it invalid;

4. The DIY will might not be prepared precisely according to law;

5. There may be provisions in the DIY will that are contrary to law;

6. There may be provisions in the DIY will that are confusing, contradict each other, or do not make any sense;

7. If there are mistakes, the heirs could end up spending far more money in court costs and attorney’s fees than the cost of having a legal professional properly prepare the will;

8. People commonly confuse a living will with a last will and testament, so they prepare the wrong document;

9. The risk of doing it incorrectly far outweighs the cost of hiring a legal professional;

10. If a judge finds a DIY will invalid, it will be too late to change it – because the person who did it themselves will have already passed away.

 DIY wills can have devastating effects on those you leave behind.

Frankly, I am puzzled by why anyone would consider doing something so vitally important to their family’s future without getting professional assistance or guidance.  That’s a terribly high risk to take.  There are no second chances to correct any problems or mistakes. No one will know that your will is invalid until after you’re dead.  Obviously, then it is too late.  The damage is already done.  Without a valid will, Louisiana law will decide who inherits your assets.  You will have spent a little bit of money to create a very expensive problem for your family, and I'm pretty sure that would be the exact opposite of what you were trying to accomplish.

In my opinion, you simply should not attempt to prepare your own will.  Fixing the mess that you leave behind could end up costing your family far more problems, anxiety, stress, time, and money than if you had just let a Louisiana legal professional help you get it done right. You don’t know what you don’t know.  If you really want to get your affairs in order, then today is the day that you must stop procrastinating. 

Next Steps

Get your copy of my free guide Getting Your Affairs in Order. You’ll learn how being prepared and planning for emergencies, illnesses, and death will put you and your family in control during difficult times. It also includes a worksheet to help you get started right away and a checklist to inspire you to get it done.

You can schedule a call. Consulting with an experienced legal professional is an educational opportunity for you to gain knowledge, insight, and clarity so you’ll know where you stand. I will help you assess your situation and answer all of your questions. And more importantly, you will find out more about me and how I serve my clients so you can decide whether you would like further assistance in getting your affairs in order.

To learn more about DIY wills, watch this short video on my YouTube channel:  Online Wills – Not a Good Idea.