Published on
23 Nov, 2022
4 min read

5 Things You Should NOT Do While Drafting a Will

Jan 5, 2023

Why do you need a Will? To leave your assets in the right hands? To let the righteous get what they’ve lived or worked for? Or so that your assets are valued and aren’t taken advantage of after your death?

These are all great reasons to have a Will, but probably not the only ones. The list is much longer. And the necessity of having a Will remains. However, if you make a mistake in drafting the Will, all your efforts and wishes put into building and distributing your assets will be in vain.

There are numerous objectives to be fulfilled while creating a Will, and the digital age makes it easier to fulfil those objectives. Nevertheless, it can still go off-track for you if you aren’t aware of the appropriate steps to make a Will.

If you’re here, you’re being cautious and taking the first step to preventing mistakes in making your Will. Read this blog to find out about five things you certainly should NOT be doing when drafting your online will.

Not Abiding By the State Laws

Every state has certain rules and regulations in place for a legal Will and the eligibility criteria to make one. Ideally, you should be at least 18 years old to have a Will. You should ensure to check off all the requirements to make a Will before you sit down to draft one.

Make sure to check your age restrictions, the number of witnesses, and whether your will should be notarized. Failing to abide by the law can lead to your Will being invalid in the State.

Not Choosing the Right Executor

Your executor is the legal authority person who administers your assets after your death. So, you can imagine the damage choosing the wrong executor can cause to your possessions!

An ideal executor should be reliable, honest, trustworthy, and emotionally grounded. Additionally, you should check with them in advance if they are comfortable with such a position and the responsibilities that come along. Make sure to have an alternate executor in line as well, in case the primary executor fails to serve.

Not Having the Correct Signature and Witnesses

The person making the Will should have their valid signature on it. A Will can be written or typed on a blank paper as well. Only your valid signature will make it genuinely authoritative.

Although it is rare not to sign your own Will, it can be a common mistake to sign it in initials and not use your full signature. Make sure to put your full signature on your Will for validation purposes.

Additionally, you should have at least two witnesses for your Will with their full names, details, and signatures on it. Bear in mind that these witnesses should not be someone among your beneficiaries. If so, it can lead to serious legal issues. It is highly recommended to avoid assigning beneficiaries as witnesses of your Will.

Not Mentioning Your Beneficiaries

Living in the 21st Century, you can expect anything and everything to go wrong unless you are super precautious. That said, make sure not to forget any of your beneficiaries and mention all of them in your Will. Otherwise, it can lead to family conflicts and disputes.

The beneficiaries can be anyone of your children under the age of 18 or other family members and friends who are eligible to receive certain assets from your properties.

Not Considering All Your Assets

Another common mistake while making Wills is not considering your entire property during distribution. Failing to distribute all your assets can lead up to legal conflicts regarding the asset distribution after your death, which ultimately prolongs your Will validation process and threatens it to become invalid.

Therefore, make sure to mention all the assets in your Will, along with the additional documents that may be required.

Not Updating Your Will

Do you think creating your Will and distributing all your assets is all about it? If so, here’s news for you - it is highly essential to update your Will from time to time after it has been drafted and executed!

Updating your Will allows you to reflect on your current wishes and consider your financial situation. Changes in your property or family, like a divorce or the birth of a child, may require you to amend your Will. Few changes to the Will can be fixed with a codicil. But substantial changes may require you to draft a new instrument.

How Can AasaanWill Help You?

  • We have legal professionals to guide you through the Will-making process.
  • You can rely on us to make your online Will from the comfort of your home.
  • Eliminate the trouble of hiring a lawyer and breaking the bank.

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The Will writing process need not be necessarily difficult or confusing. Start your Will writing process with us at www.aasaanwill.com.

AasaanWill. Zaroori Hai!

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