How do I write a will?

Wills

Everyone knows they should have a will, but the vast majority – about 70% of us – do not.  Writing a will is easy and inexpensive. Once you are done you can rest easy knowing your money and property will be distributed according to your wishes.  If you have children, you can leave instructions on who will be left in charge of them if you pass. You do not want to leave that decision in the court’s hands.  Making a will is easy, you just need to be at least 18 years of age and must be of sound mind when the will is written.  To make a will legal it must:

• Expressly state that it is your will
• Be computer generated or typewritten
• Be signed and dated
• Be signed by 2-3 witnesses, these witnesses are people who don’t stand to inherit anything in the will

Although you do not need a lawyer to complete a will, it is recommended to have the expertise of a lawyer as you complete it. It will avoid legal headaches after your passing.  Once your will is done, it is advised to keep it somewhere safe and secure outside of your home.  If you use a lawyer, most law firms will archive it for you, free of charge.  Many people keep their wills in a safety deposit box at a bank, but this is not recommended, as the contents of the box could be sealed at the time of death. The executor of your will should be aware of the location of the will.