A friend told me she saw an ad on Facebook for a “5 Minute Will” and wondered what I thought. Terms like “legitimate,” “comprehensive,” and “quality work” did NOT come to mind. I can only assume it is a ploy to attract individuals who have convinced themselves they don’t have time to make a will. I get that. But from an experienced estate planning attorney’s perspective, no one, not even the speediest lawyer, could draw up a legally acceptable will that covers all a client’s needs, no matter what they are in five minutes. The cliché “you get what you pay for” comes to mind.
My second thought was, why would an individual only want to spend five minutes to protect a lifetime of hard-earned assets and their loved ones? Aren’t they worth serious consideration?
So, I wanted to provide a realistic timeline of what it can take, from start to finish, to have your will drawn up so you are confident it is legally acceptable and meets your unique needs and wants for your assets and loved ones.
Step #1
Call me to begin the process and schedule an initial meeting. Let’s say we talk for 10 minutes.
Step #2
I send you a few questionnaires that help you gather your information regarding assets, beneficiaries, heirs, etc. If you are organized, it will take less than 20 minutes to complete.
Step #3
We meet to review your information (completed questionnaires) and talk about YOU, what you want to protect, and who you want to protect if something happens to you. This meeting can be as brief as 30 minutes.
Step #4
I prepare your will and any other documents we may have decided to include, such as a Living Will, Healthcare Directive, or Power of Attorney (Advanced Directives). I will send you a draft of all the documents for review to make sure everything is perfect and what you wanted.
Step #5
We will meet again, and you will sign the documents in person.* For a Will signing with Advanced Directives, that typically takes 30 minutes or less.
By my calculations, the process, start to finish, can be wrapped up in an hour and a half. Ninety minutes of your time to ensure your assets and loved ones are protected to the best of your ability. Aren’t they worth 90 minutes of your time?
So, if you have yet to get a will because of the time it will take, please reconsider. If you die without a will, that likely means you heirs must go through probate, and it puts them into a complicated situation that can be lengthy, costly, and contentious. I don’t believe anyone wants to burden their loved ones in that way intentionally. Allow me to help you get your affairs in order. Call me today at 513-399-7526 or schedule a consultation through my website, www.davidlefton.com.
*In Ohio, in-person signatures for these kinds of documents are still legally required. While some complain, it goes a long way to ensure the signer is legitimate, appears to be of sound mind, and is not under or subject to duress, fraud, or undue influence.