Creating a Simple Last Will and Testament Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune

You may recognize the importance of having a last will and testament, but is there such a thing as a simple will? Or even free wills?

Creating a will for yourself doesn’t have to send you into debt. But leaving behind assets or debt without a will could result in bigger problems for loved ones left behind.

Top Reasons for Writing a Will

If these apply to you, now is the time to create your last will and testament:
·         You have children of step-children under age 18
·         You and your partner are not married (the law does not recognize this and nothing will go to your partner without a will)
·         You got married or went through a divorce and need to update your will
·         You have family pets who need a new home if you passed away
·         You have specific wishes for your funeral
·         You have property or assets to designate to a beneficiary
·         You own a small business and need to define an executor to authorize payments (including payments to staff)

What a Will Does

A will offers three main functions:
1.      Name Your Executor(s)
This is the person (or persons) who will look after your financial affairs after you pass away. Consider a trusted friend or relative. The executor will sort out your finances including pay off your mortgage or other debts with your estate.
2.      Designate a Guardian for Surviving Children Under 18
Name a guardian for your children under age 18. Be sure to allocate funds to make sure they’re financially supported while they grow up. Without having a will with a designated guardian, the courts will decide what happens to your child(ren) after your death.
3.      Provide Rules to Distribute Your Estate
Include in your will who you want to be the beneficiary of items in your estate. This includes property, cars, businesses, investments, savings, expensive items, heirlooms, pets, and more.

An Affordable Way to Draft a Last Will and Testament

When writing a legal document by yourself, small errors could cause big problems. If you can’t afford the hourly rate of an attorney, consider other options to draft a will.

Templated wills from a trusted online source offer an affordable way to write a simple will. Do your research to make sure the template is created by professionals who can ensure your will is legal when filled out correctly. Some online services may even offer simple will templates at no cost.

Keep in mind, DIY wills do not offer the protection of an attorney. If your situation requires distributions of multiple valuable assets including businesses, properties, and guardians for children, seeking legal advice is always the smart thing to do.


At FamilyWise, we understand the importance of everyone having access to free wills. That’s why we offer an easy-to-understand template for simple wills. Sign up and download our free template to protect your family and assets today.

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