When Is a Last Will and Testament Too Complicated?

Often, people only realize how complicated their estates are when they first start drafting their wills. While creating your estate plan, you might begin to worry about the complexity of your situation. Is your Last Will and Testament too complicated? What might happen if you leave behind a Will that seems difficult to understand? This might be something worth bringing up with an experienced estate planning attorney in North Palm Beach.

Overly Complicated Wills Could Cause Issues

Most lawyers will tell you that an overly complex Will can cause serious issues during probate in Florida. If the Will’s complexity makes it impossible to understand, it may become invalid in court. It may also be vulnerable to legal challenges from interested parties. All of this makes your Will less enforceable, so excessive complexity is something to avoid.

That said, a Will can be lengthy without necessarily being complex. If you need to leave behind extensive instructions for how to handle your estate, you should not hesitate to do so. It is not the length of a Will that necessarily makes it less enforceable, but rather the confusion caused by the wording of the document.

A Will should be elegant and concise. Why take 12 words to say what you can express in just four? Avoid complex terminology that only some people will understand. Keep it simple and aim for “readability” rather than technical jargon or intricate grammar. A second set of eyes can make a positive difference, and you should aim for an extensive revision process for your Will. This is especially true if your Will is long.

This is why it makes sense to work with a lawyer when drafting your Will. Although there are plenty of online websites that claim to offer “DIY Wills,” direct guidance from a real lawyer can help you focus on issues unique to your situation and also to identify potential issues with the wording of your Will.

You Might Also Experience Issues if Your Will Isn’t Complicated Enough 

While simplifying a Will generally makes sense, you might also experience issues if your Will isn’t complicated enough. More accurately, your Will could be less effective if it is overly vague. Specificity is an important priority when drafting Wills. Remember, your Will is like a set of instructions left behind for others to follow. If these instructions seem overly vague, they might be impossible to carry out. Not only could this make probate more time-consuming, but it might also lead to legal challenges to your Will.

Can an Estate Planning Lawyer in North Palm Beach Help Me?

If you’re worried about your Will being too complicated or not complicated enough, consider a conversation with an experienced estate planning lawyer in North Palm Beach. These legal professionals may be able to assess your estate plan and help you determine whether it is overly complex. An estate planning lawyer might also suggest methods to simplify your Last Will and Testament. To learn more about the next steps, speak with Kitroser Lewis & Mighdoll at your earliest convenience.

Source:

 help.flcourts.gov/Other-Resources/Probate