E-wills make sense for a select few

Starting next year, you will be able to create and sign a Florida will online and then store it in the cloud. While it is certainly going to be more convenient to create a will online while you’re at home, the real question is whether or not an electronic will is right for you and your family.

In cases where a person has few assets, an e-will will be better than no will at all. But for those with more significant assets, and for those who need to update an existing will, it makes more sense to protect your assets and family with the help of an estate planning attorney who knows the law and how to apply it to your situation.

Many experts believe that electronic wills have the potential to create a surge in probate litigation. An attorney told Forbes that “e-wills are certain to cause and fuel litigation on issues such as the testator’s lack of mental capacity to sign a will and the exercise of undue influence, duress and coercion in the signing of a will.”

Those with significant assets are likely to have more complex needs and estate plans than, for instance, you people just getting started. Estates with more abundant assets are also likely to be the subject of disputes and are also more likely to benefit most from the use of legal tools that can reduce estate tax liabilities for heirs.

As an estate planning lawyer noted: “These e-wills promise to make the orderly distribution of wealth an exercise in chaos.”

While a few minutes online might work for some, there is simply no way to replace the knowledge and personalized service available from a Brevard County attorney who can tailor your estate plan to fit your exact situation.