Having a last will and testament is a must for all Illinois residents, but many people choose to use an online portal that they think will suffice for a simple final directive. The truth is that this may not be the best decision because wills can be contested relatively easily after an untimely death, and depending on the circumstances, the state may allow that contest to go forward. Here are also a few other reasons why it is best to at least consult with an Illinois legal professional before attempting to make a will using an online service.
Avoiding probate
One of the first goals of a comprehensive will is avoiding probate as much as possible. This often involves a comprehensive evaluation of personal assets that can be difficult to accomplish using an online will service. Reducing asset exposure as much as possible is a primary focus when estate planning, and even bank account holdings can be frozen during the probate process.
Establishing a trust
Individuals with significant assets may want to establish a trust in order to protect their assets from seizure and allow them to pass to immediate family in accordance with the law. Even those with little to no family may want to do this as a trust or foundation can be set up to benefit specific sets of people as well. This requires assistance from an estate planning legal professional, who may explain what structure might work best for a particular situation.
Additionally, many parents want to express their wishes concerning the disposition of dependent children in the event of untimely death as well as register the will with the county of residence. These goals may be more difficult to accomplish by using an online will alone.
