When it comes to writing a will, it's tempting to take the do-it-yourself route. After all, there are countless websites promising you can create a legally binding will in less than an hour for a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney. If your estate seems straightforward, you may wonder, "Why not?" The truth is, you absolutely can write your own will.The better question is: Should you?
At Vick Law, we believe your will is one of the most important legal documents you'll ever sign. Once you're gone, there are no second chances, no updates, and no opportunity to explain what you really meant. That's why it's worth taking the time to make sure it's done correctly.
A Will Is More Than a Piece of Paper
Many people think a will simply says who gets what after they pass away. While that's certainly an important part of it, a properly prepared will can also:
- Name the person who will settle your estate.
- Appoint a guardian for your minor children.
- Create trusts to protect an inheritance.
- Help reduce confusion among family members.
- Clearly express your wishes so your loved ones aren't left guessing.
The words used in a will matter. A sentence that seems perfectly clear to you today could be interpreted very differently after you're gone.
The Biggest Problem With DIY Wills
Online will services are designed for the "average" family. The problem is that very few families are average. Maybe you're in a second marriage or have children from different relationships. Perhaps you have a child or grandchild with special needs. Maybe you own a business, rental property, or family farm. Some people's biggest goal is simply making life as easy as possible for the people you love.
These situations deserve more than a fill-in-the-blank form. One of the most valuable parts of working with an estate planning attorney isn't the document itself. It's the conversation. We ask questions you may not have thought to ask because we've helped many families navigate these same decisions. Often, those conversations uncover opportunities or concerns that an online form would never identify. Additionally, we can explain the unwanted implications that can arise from a poorly planned will and the havoc it can wreak for beneficiaries.
Your Will May Not Control Everything You Own
This surprises many people. Even if you have a perfectly drafted will, some of your assets may pass outside of it entirely.
For example:
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Payable-on-death bank accounts
- Property owned jointly with rights of survivorship
These assets typically pass according to the beneficiary designation or the way they're titled, not according to your will. Imagine spending time carefully dividing your estate among your children, only to discover that an old retirement account still names your former spouse as the beneficiary. We've seen situations like this happen more often than people realize. A comprehensive estate plan includes reviewing your beneficiary designations and making sure every piece of your plan works together.
A Will Is Usually Just the Beginning
One of the biggest misconceptions about estate planning is that once you've signed a will, you're finished. For most families, that's simply not the case. Depending on your goals, your estate plan may also include:
- A Financial Power of Attorney
- A Health Care Power of Attorney
- Advance Directives
- A Revocable Living Trust
- Medicaid planning
- Asset protection strategies
- Business succession planning
Each document serves a different purpose, and together they create a plan that protects you during your lifetime as well as after your passing. That's why we often tell clients that a will is the foundation of an estate plan, not the entire plan.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Most people choose a DIY will because they hope to save money. Unfortunately, mistakes often cost families much more than the attorney's fee they were trying to avoid. If a homemade will is unclear, improperly executed, or conflicts with other estate planning documents, your family could face:
- Probate delays
- Costly court proceedings
- Family disagreements
- Unintended distributions
- Assets passing according to Indiana law instead of your wishes
The very problems you hoped to avoid may become the burden your loved ones have to carry.
How Vick Law Can Help
At Vick Law, we understand that every family is different. Some clients need a simple will. Others benefit from a trust-based estate plan. Many families need guidance that goes beyond drafting documents, helping them coordinate beneficiary designations, protect assets, plan for long-term care, or prepare for the future of a family business.
Our job is to help you think through the decisions that matter most, explain your options in plain English, and create an estate plan that reflects your goals and protects the people you love.
If you've already created a will online, we'd be happy to review it with you. Sometimes it's exactly what you need. Other times, a few changes can make a significant difference. Our goal is never to sell you documents you don't need. It's to make sure your wishes are carried out the way you intended.
Peace of Mind Is Worth Doing It Right
You spent a lifetime building what you have and caring for the people you love. Your estate plan should provide those same loved ones with clarity, protection, and peace of mind when they need it most. The will is one document you want to be done right because, once you're gone, there is no opportunity to fix a mistake.
Contact Vick Law today to schedule a consultation. We'll help you create an estate plan that's tailored to your family, your goals, and your future.
Vick Law, P.C.
3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113
Greenwood, IN 46142
(317) 884-3133
www.vicklaw.org
Reference: Riverhead News Review (June 14, 2026) “Do I need a will? Can I do it myself?”
