Writing your will is always a great idea. A legally valid will ensure that your loved ones will hear your final wishes and that special gifts and assets will be divided on your terms.
However, writing a will is also a long and complex process. Typically, getting a legal will in Australia involves going to a law firm and consulting with expert lawyers. But if you don’t want to go through all these hoops just for a legal will, you may want to consider wills online Australia.
As the name suggests, an online will is something you can accomplish without leaving your home. This is a great option for those looking to save time and money when creating their legal will.
In this article, we compare traditional lawyers’ wills to wills online Australia. That way, it will be much easier to choose the best option for your needs!
Pros & Cons of Traditional Wills
Visiting a lawyer to create a legally sound will tailored to your needs is a great way to ensure your will covers all your wishes. Once you find the right lawyers, it’s a pretty straightforward process, as all you have to do is give your lawyer clear instructions on what to do with your assets, like bank accounts, properties, and more. On top of that, you can also assign guardianship for your minor children and bestow specific gifts to loved ones.
On the flip side, traditional wills can take a lot of time. Depending on your needs, the lawyer may also charge a fairly high price just to write your will in plain English. So, if you’re pressed for time and on a tight budget, the best option for you.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of traditional wills to give you a better idea of whether or not it’s the best choice for you.
Pros:
- Customised wills that consider all your needs
- Get expert advice on how to distribute your assets
- Ensure that all the legal and attorney documents are there
- Ensure the will is legally binding
Cons:
- It can take a lot of time
- Traditional wills come with many additional costs
Pros & Cons of Wills Online Australia
If you’re looking for a cost-effective and easy process, an online will could be the best option for you. The simple process involves heading to a website, filling out an online form, and receiving your will within the same day. This is great if you’re looking to create a simple will, as the entire process is extremely easy to complete.
Now, an online will won’t be as comprehensive as a traditional one. Most of the time, online will providers use a template for creating their wills online Australia. So, you may not be able to put all your special wishes.
This is why you might want to look for online will providers that offer customised service. Customised online wills might cost you more and will take some more time. However, it’s still much easier than leaving your home to go to a lawyer’s office just to create a new will.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of getting an online will.
Pros:
- You can plan out your funeral service and give a to-do-list for the executor after your passing
- Cover all the basics
- You can receive your will in just a few hours
- Easy to complete and revise
- Lower costs than traditional wills
Cons:
- An online will isn’t as comprehensive
- You may need to gather additional legal documents on your own
Choosing the Best Will Service for Your Needs
There are many considerations when choosing the best will for your needs to serve your needs. Traditional and online wills have their own advantages and disadvantages, which make selecting the best option pretty tough.
But to help simplify the process, here are some of the top considerations to keep in mind when choosing a will service.
Budget
Traditional wills are fairly expensive, and an online will is very affordable. So, the first consideration to keep in mind is your budget for the will. If you have some money to spend and don’t mind waiting a long time, then a traditional will is a great option. But if you want to save some money and go through a more convenient process, you might want to go for online wills.
Time
The next thing to consider is the amount of time you have. If you need to create your will fast, then an online will service is much more efficient. Traditional wills take a lot of time to write, so it’s only a good option for those who have a lot of time on their hands.
The Complexity of the Will
An online will works best if it’s simple. If you plan on writing a complex will with many special requests, gifts, and divisions of assets, then you might want to go the traditional route. That way, you can ensure that you cover all the bases when writing your will.
When to Go For Traditional Wills
The best time to go for traditional wills is if you want to cover a lot of details and special requests. Lawyers are great at crafting legally valid wills written in clear language that covers all of your requests. While they take a fair amount of time to complete, you can rest assured that all your requests will be in the will when you go the traditional route.
When to Go For an Online Will Service
If you need a basic will that just covers your assets, funeral services, and certain gifts, then an online will is a cheaper and faster option. When you write your will online, the entire process is very easy and straightforward. While the will won’t be as comprehensive, you can always edit it as needed. Since the will was created online, rest assured that editing it will be as easy as creating it.
Conclusion: Online Will vs Traditional Will – Which Is Better?
There’s no better option when comparing will services. Everyone has their own needs and preferences when dividing their estate. So, the best option is always the service that best suits your needs and preferences.
