If I have a Will and a Trust and want to change who the beneficiary is, do I need to go to a lawyer or can I have a paralegal make the changes?
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If I have a Will and a Trust and want to change who the beneficiary is, do I need to go to a lawyer or can I have a paralegal make the changes?
Asked on June 3, 2014 under Estate Planning, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
There is no law requiring the use of an attorney to draft a will--you can do it yourself. You probably cannot have a paralegal do it, however, except under the direction of an attorney, however, because doing so would constitute the practice of law without a license. Your options are to go to an attorney or to make the changes yourself. If you do them yourself, be sure to obey all requirements in terms of signing, witnessing, and notarizing the will--a failure to do so will render it invalid and unenforceable.
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