How To Know if an Online Will Service is Right For You

You don’t need us to remind you just how important it is to have a Will, to help protect your family and control what happens after your death. The bottom line is, every adult should be prioritising the creation of their Will. But it can be a bit of a legal minefield to navigate when you don’t have access to the right advice.

Doing it online certainly takes away a few of the traditional barriers (like exorbitant legal fees and appointment setting) that normally send Will-writing to the “too-hard basket”. Online, it becomes a much more approachable (and enjoyable!) task to pen your legally binding Will, when it can be done from the comfort of your own home, for a reasonable fee.

The question remains: what else is there to consider when deciding whether an online Will’s the one for you?

Preparing a Valid Will

Let’s have a quick look over the most important functions of a Will.

Your Will:

• Allows you to name beneficiaries (people who will inherit from you) and determines what it is that they will inherit

• Ensures you don’t die intestate, which would leave the  the state legal system with the most say in how your assets are distributed after death

• Gives you freedom to distribute your assets yourself, to the people you choose, in the amounts of your choice, including leaving more sentimental items to particular people

• Allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children, in the event that your absence leaves a child without parents

• Includes the provision to name an Executor who will be tasked with filing your Will with the probate court and overseeing the process of the division of your assets according to your directions.

It’s possible to write a Will all by yourself, but you do run the risk of leaving out things which are important to include, or not using the right language for the results you want. Each state has its own rules for estate planning documents, so it’ll also be your responsibility to check if your document complies with state requirements, in order for it to be legally valid.

In many ways, it’s good to seek guidance from an attorney so you can be assured your Will is valid and enforceable. Some Online Will writing services can be equally relied upon to guide you as an attorney would, especially using Willed’s technology which is built and supported by Aussie lawyers. Pretty advanced stuff, huh?

How Do Online Will-Making Services Actually Work?

There are a few different kinds of online legal services that make Wills. None that have a certified vampire as their front man, mind you (cheers, Count Gregor). Nevertheless, there are a few different approaches to online Will-making that are worth exploring.

Some use an online questionnaire that asks the Will-maker a series of questions answered right on the screen. These answers are used to formulate the Will to ensure that the provisions of the Will are completed correctly. Others simply provide an online form or a template to complete by filling-in the gaps, with a bit less guidance. There are even services that may require a software download to enable the creation of the Will on your own computer.

Willed’s service steps you through it all, start to finish, making sure nothing is missed along the way. There’s also the opportunity to ask questions of specialists and experts in the field, via Live Chat or a good old fashioned phone conversation, while using the service. You can rest assured that your Will is complete and legally valid in your state. The cherry on top: Willed’s service allows you to revisit and revise your Will once created. This feature exists because we know that adapting to change is key in our faced-paced world, especially when it comes to making a bunch of mega decisions!

Choosing an Online Will Service

Online wills work well in many situations and can meet most people’s needs. However, if you have a very large or complicated estate, you may want to seek further counsel to create your Will. There are other situations where you may want to have an attorney assist in drafting - maybe where there are considerations of providing for a child with special needs, disinheriting a spouse or advanced tax planning.

As with any purchase, always consider what you’re actually getting for your money when you are selecting an avenue for your online Will. If your wishes are relatively straightforward, and you don’t need to talk to an attorney, an inexpensive option may make sense for you. On the other hand, having an attorney review your Will may give you more peace of mind that your Will should do exactly what you want it to. It’s possible to combine an online Will with some in-person consultation, or alternatively ask the experts that *some select few* services provide at your fingertips.

Wrap up 

At Willed, we innovate in the space of online Will writing through providing a service with convenience, affordability and ease around an aspect of life (and death) that isn’t traditionally a breeze. Even so, it’s important to take the time to evaluate different options and choose the one that best fits your needs and fulfills your goals.

If you found this helpful, you may benefit from reading our guide: Is Willed Legit?