There are a lot of templates and “cheat sheets” online to help individuals draft their wills, but everyone’s situation is different, and an experienced will attorney knows there is no one-size-fits-all approach to estate planning. If you still need to finalize your will, the attorneys at Stayton Law in Stayton, OR, will help.

Here are three reasons to hire a will attorney when drafting your documents:

• The Will Must Be Free Of Errors: If you use ambiguous language or make a mistake when drafting your will, your requests may not be carried out as you had wished. Some common estate planning mistakes include forgetting to sign the will, failing to tell anyone where the will is, and adding amendments incorrectly, so they are nullified.
• You Must Follow The Court’s Guidelines: The court has a set of guidelines regulating wills to ensure they are valid. For example, the will must be witnessed and notarized, and it cannot be written by hand. If you fail to follow these or any other requirements, the court may not consider your will to be valid and will instead distribute your property according to state law.
• A Lawyer’s Fees Are Nominal: The main reason people attempt to draft a will without the help of a lawyer is to save a little money. However, if the will proves to be invalid, they will only cost their family more money in the long run. Though the cost of estate planning varies among individuals and depends on a number of factors, hiring a will attorney remains a cost-efficient way to confirm your wishes will be carried out after you pass.

If you want to ensure your family is taken care of when you’re no longer here to support them yourself, turn to Stayton Law in Marion County. Visit the website to learn more about the legal services available regarding the distribution of estates. You can also call (503) 769-7741 to speak with a will attorney today.