Death is a fact of life. If you have numerous assets and non-financial properties (like pets), you are a good candidate for making a legally-binding will online. Some people prefer to make their own will, which is why software developers have made it possible for you to prepare wills online.

Online legal wills are easy to make. So, what aspects should you keep in mind when you are making an online legal will? Here are some factors to think about before you start making a legal will online.

Determine Which Property to Give Away and to Whom

Some people have more property than others and relatives often fight over a deceased family member’s properties. Property disputes reach the court if they are not resolved promptly. That’s why you must be clear in your will about which properties you intend to give away after death. You must also specify the intended beneficiaries clearly. This is a priority right now, because of the global pandemic that has caused many deaths.

If you clearly specify in your will the names of the properties and the legal names of your loved ones who stand to benefit, the document will hold up in a court of law. If you are not sure about whom to give a particular property, such as your surviving pets, relatives and friends may fight over that. This is something that can be avoided by making a will. Generally, the more properties you own, the more likely it is that someone in your family or circle of friends may try to take ownership of the properties after death.

Decide Who Will Be the Executor of Your Estate

This is covered in the will itself. You should choose someone who is both responsible and accountable so that there won’t be legal problems. The executor of your estate can be someone closely related to you, such as your son or daughter who will gain a Special Power of Attorney as stated in your will. If you do not have expertise in estate management, search for a business like wills and estate lawyers sydney.

The executor can also be your lawyer who will help to draft the will for you. This is preferable because the lawyer is a disinterested third party who doesn’t stand to gain from the properties you leave behind. The lawyer may charge you a fee for services rendered, but he will help you to successfully navigate through the estate planning laws.

Choose a Legal Online Will Software

The nice part about online wills is that you can rely on the software to guide you through the process. This is preferable if you are not leaving a lot of properties behind after your death. Therefore, you’ll need a simple and effective will. Moreover, an online legal will has one clear advantage over a handwritten will. As long as you live, you can update and amend the will based on changing requirements at the click of a button. An online legal will software, such as that offered by willed.com.au, will also guide you to determine what to say in your online will. You simply have to answer some questions along the way.

Furthermore, lawyers cost a lot more than an online legal will software does. If you are not the owner of many assets, you probably can rely on an online legal will for starters. The point is to help you prepare the will while you are able and strong. A software’s guide questions will help you stay on the good side of the law. If you’ve got a lot of properties to leave behind, you can make a temporary will with the software first. Thereafter, you can seek the advice of a good lawyer who can check your will and make some recommendations, if needed.

Name Guardians and Caretakers for Minor Children and Pets

It’s equally important to name the right guardian for minor children. You can name relatives or close friends, whom you can trust for the welfare of your children. The nominated person will serve as a guardian until the child becomes a major. You should normally not name the persons you’ve named as guardians as recipients of any of your properties. This approach will make sure that the guardians don’t manipulate the system in their favor after your death.

If you have pets, be sure to name someone as their caretaker. You should name a responsible person whom you can trust. This will help ease your mind since you’ll know that your pets won’t be neglected after you pass away.

Why You Should Also Get An Estate Planning Attorney and Witnesses

In some regions, hiring an estate planning attorney is mandatory for the will to be deemed valid and legally binding. You’ll also need witnesses who understand the role that they’ll play in legalizing your will. The witnesses will testify that they know you, that they saw that you were in your right mind when you signed the will, and that their own signatures can also be seen on the legal documents. It’s a good idea to get witnesses who don’t stand to benefit from the contents of the will so that their testimony is deemed acceptable and ethical.

Final Takeaway

Nobody lives forever. Therefore, it’s important to plan accordingly. Make a will that specifies the friends and family who will receive a part of your estate after your death. Determine which property to give away and to whom, select the executor, and name guardians and caretakers for minor children and pets. Don’t forget the importance of witnesses while making the will. You can use an online legal will software to make your own will. This is a good idea, especially if you don’t have too much wealth or assets to pass on. If you’ve amassed a lot of wealth, you should hire an estate planning attorney after making an online legal will. The attorney will check the will to make it airtight. Follow the tips mentioned in this article and state your last wishes clearly through a legally binding will.