How to Make a Will in Connecticut? Step by Step Guide

If you are thinking about estate planning but are unsure how to make a will in Connecticut, it’s a good idea to hire a will lawyer so you can have reliable legal oversight during this process. Creating a will can provide you and your family peace of mind, but it is vital to ensure your will is both comprehensive, covering every aspect of your estate, and legally enforceable, so it can accomplish your intended goals.

How to Make a Will in Connecticut

There is a significant older population in Connecticut, with more than 19% of the state’s population over the age of 65. While thinking about death can be uncomfortable for some people, the reality is that this is an important issue to consider when it comes to the legal and financial effects your death could have on your family. It is never too soon to start thinking about estate planning, and you can hire a will lawyer to make this process easier.

A recent study concluded that only about 32% of Americans have estate plans; 43% of those surveyed reported that they did not have any estate plans (they said this was due to procrastination), and another 40% reported that they believed they didn’t own enough assets to worry about estate planning.

Creating a last will and testament conveys your wishes to your loved ones after your death, and this document can cover several things. For example, you can explain what funeral and burial arrangements you want, and you can also dictate how you want your property distributed to your surviving loved ones. You can leave specific assets or heirlooms to specific family members, and you can also customize your estate plan in various other ways.

Steps to Creating Your Will in Connecticut

The first step in creating a will is to hire a will lawyer. Do not rely on software programs or “free” online tools to create your will. While you may wish to use these to get an idea of what you think your will should include, you need an attorney’s help to make sure that your will is not only legally enforceable but also comprehensive, covering everything you need to cover to ensure your family’s future security.

Your will lawyer can address all the key elements of your will, including a complete list of assets and debts, executor designations, and guardian designations for your children, if necessary. It is also important to have witnesses sign your will, and your attorney can verify that your chosen witnesses are capable of managing this responsibility and that their signatures are obtained legally.

Once the will has been created, it needs to be stored in a safe location where your family can access it when the time comes. A properly created will can potentially speed up the probate process for your family, and the team at Burns Thomas, LLC, can also help you create a more robust estate plan that could possibly help them avoid probate entirely. Reach out to our firm today and learn more about the services we offer when it comes to creating your will.

FAQs

Q: Does a Will in Connecticut Need to Be Notarized?

A: No, a will in Connecticut does not need to be notarized, but having your will notarized can significantly speed up the probate process when it comes to estate administration. A notarized will is considered “self-proving.” The probate court will then be able to accept the will without needing to contact the signing witnesses. State law requires two witnesses to sign the will in the presence of the testator, or creator of the will.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Write a Will in Connecticut?

A: The cost to write a will in Connecticut varies, typically based on the overall complexity of the will and the attorneys’ fees the testator pays to have it written. Most Connecticut wills attorneys offer flat rates for will creation when it comes to simpler estates, but an attorney may charge by the hour to create a will for a high net worth individual or someone who must create an especially complex estate plan.

Q: Can I Write My Own Will in Connecticut?

A: Technically, yes, you can write your own will in Connecticut, but it is unwise to assume that this will accomplish the same as a will crafted by an experienced Connecticut wills attorney. If you write your own will, you should consider this to be a “rough draft” or blueprint that you can hand to an attorney, and they can refine it in various ways to ensure it is legally enforceable and accomplishes your intended goals.

Q: What Is Probate in Connecticut?

A: In Connecticut, probate is the process of estate administration handled by the probate court under the state’s laws of intestate succession. If an individual dies without any type of estate plan in place, their estate becomes “intestate,” and Connecticut law will dictate how their outstanding debts are paid and what happens to their remaining assets. Creating a comprehensive estate plan can potentially help your family avoid lengthy probate.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Will Lawyer?

A: You should hire a will lawyer to ensure that your last will and testament can make estate administration easier for your family after your death. While you can develop the framework of your will on your own, you should work with an experienced attorney you can trust to ensure the will not only covers all aspects of your estate, but also accomplishes its intended purpose and allows your family to avoid probate as much as possible.

The team at Burns Thomas, LLC, is ready to guide you through the various steps necessary to create your will in Connecticut. Do not rely on online tools or software programs to create your estate plan. Hire a will lawyer at your first opportunity so you can have experienced legal counsel on your side through the will creation process. Contact Burns Thomas, LLC, today to schedule a consultation with our team and learn how we can help you.