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Death and Taxes: Planning for the Inevitable

Now that tax season is officially over, it’s time to turn our attention to planning for the only other certainty of life.

More than 100M people already have a legal will. Another 120M do not. If you’re in the group who has been putting this off for way too long, you may be surprised to learn that making a legal will is easier than you think.

Why make a legal will

  • Protect your family – Name guardians so minor children always stay in good hands.
  • Protect your property – Make sure the things you’ve worked hard for are passed to those you love.
  • Leave a legacy – Give back to the institutions that shaped your life. Like FIU!
  • Save time and money – Save your family headaches and legal fees by making your wishes known. Making a basic will online can be done in as little as 10 minutes.

How to make a will 

  • Hire an attorney – Hiring an attorney allows you to get personalized legal advice from an expert. Rates vary widely, but expect to pay $500-$1,000 for this option.
  • Use an online service – Online services are increasingly popular. More than 5M people choose this option. Like online tax planning, these services guide you through the process and generate a legally valid will. Costs are typically $50-70 and some, like Bequest are completely free.
  • Use both – If you like the convenience of the web, but also want the added peace of mind of speaking with an attorney, a hybrid approach may be best for you. This option may even save you legal fees by reducing the amount of time your attorney spends drafting your documents.

Regardless of which option you choose, don’t put it off any longer. Make your will today. You’ll be glad you did.

 

About the author: Eliam Medina is an FIU alumnus and CEO of Bequest, an online service that makes it easy to create a legally valid will for free in about 10 minutes. Learn more at www.bequest.co.

Bequest is a free service that makes it easy to create a legal will. We provide legal forms and legal information. We are not a law firm and are not a substitute for an attorney’s advice.

 

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