A good estate plan includes a will. Wills are an efficient way to distribute property according to the person’s intent and avoid family fighting at the time of distribution. Wills have been around for a long time, and are part of the tool set of every experienced estate-planning attorney. A common, but serious mistake that people make is to use generic wills that they find online. Wills found online are problematic because they may not comply with the Illinois Wills statute and may leave gaps in the property distribution.
An experienced Illinois estate-planning attorney on the other hand, will have a personal relationship with her clients and ensure that wills reflect the nuances of each individual case. After drafting the will, the attorney will guide the client through the process of reviewing, revising, and executing the will.
An experienced Illinois estate-planning attorney will make sure that will execution process meets the requirements of the Illinois statute governing wills. First, the person executing the will must be at least 18 years old and must be of sound mind. The issue of sound mind is problematic when elderly people execute or amend wills, because unless done properly, these wills are open to challenges based on allegations of unsound mind.
Second, the will must be in writing and the person must sign it in front of two or more witnesses. There has been extensive litigation surrounding the finalization of wills. An experienced estate-planning attorney will make sure that there are no doubts about the validity of the will signing ceremony.
Revoking or amending a will also must follow a set of rules with which a local attorney is well acquainted.
For a will to be valid, it must follow a set of rules. An experienced Illinois estate-planning attorney will make sure the wills are appropriately and validly drafted for your individual situation; contact one today.
1001 Warrenville Road,
