How do I make a Will?

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How do I make a Will?

My husband and I want to make sure our daughter goes to my mother in the case of our death. Can we do it ourselves?

Asked on October 21, 2017 under Estate Planning, Ohio

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

Legally, you *may* draft a will yourself, but you are advised to not do so: it is too important to risk doing something wrong, and a lawyer is a good investment to make sure that the will does what you want it to (especialliy in regards to your daughter) and also is property signed and witnessed--since a will not properly signed and witnessed is not legally enforceable.
The above said, if you are determined to draft your own will, you may do so. It must be in writing; you each need your own will (they can be identical, except for the names and pronouns in them); you must sign and date the will in the presence of two witnesses, each of whom then signs and dates in each other's presence; the witnesses must be mentally competent, at least 18 and should not be inheriting anything from the will. Sign multiple copies of each will, keep a copy yourself at home, put a copy in a safe deposit box, give a copy to the person who will take care of your children (i.e. your mother), and maybe give a forth copy to someone else you trust (e.g. a sibling)--a will that gets lost may as well have not been made.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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