Do You Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Georgia?

No, you can legally draft a will without consulting with an attorney. As we discussed in our previous blog, “What Makes a Valid Will in Georgia?” a valid will is a written and signed final testament that has been voluntarily drafted by a person age 14 or older and witnessed by two or more parties. Your will does not have to be reviewed by an attorney or notarized for it to be valid.

Why It’s a Good Idea to Have a Lawyer Help You Draw Up Your Will

While you are not legally required to obtain an attorney to help you draft or review your will, it is in your best interest to retain counsel. Here are seven reasons you need a lawyer to help you prepare your will.

• A will/estate planning attorney can offer you more peace of mind. By working with an attorney to draft your will, you can be more assured that the will is valid and legally binding.
• A will/estate planning attorney is backed by experience. Before retaining an attorney, you can ask them about their experience—not only to determine how many years they have been handling estate planning matters but also to learn if they have handled cases similar to yours. While you may be able to take time to learn about drafting a valid will, an experienced attorney can be beneficial if you have complex estate or case issues (and just in general).
• A will/estate planning attorney can help address all components of your estate. In many cases, people only consider larger assets when drafting their wills, such as their homes, heirlooms, and savings accounts. However, you should also consider how you want to distribute all of your assets, including everything from clothes to pets, keychain collections, and furniture. An attorney can help you ensure you consider and address all the components of your estate.
• A will/estate planning attorney can help ease your family’s burden. After your passing, your family may struggle with having to handle all the details of your funeral and your estate. An attorney can work with your family to discuss your wishes, arrange the details, and handle legal proceedings that arise if needed.
• A will/estate planning attorney can help with updating your will as needed. As your life changes, you should update your will and other estate planning documents. You can work with an attorney to understand what updates are needed after you get married, get divorced, move, or have a child.
• A will/estate planning attorney can help your estate save money. Drafting a will, on average, is not very expensive, and you can save yourself and your family money when drafting a will. Specifically, you can plan for certain tax considerations and other financial concerns.
• A will/estate planning attorney can help you protect your own interests. When you retain counsel, you have someone in your corner who can work with your best interest in mind.

Consult with Our Attorneys

At Reed Leeper, P.C., our attorneys have over 150 years of collective professional experience, which enables us to better provide high-quality legal services to our clients. If you or a loved one have not yet drafted a will, our firm offers cost-effective legal services and is equipped to help you with drafting a will. Known for offering customized legal counsel, our attorneys can work with you to ensure your wishes are put in writing and honored.