Recently, a friend asked me about how to make a will without a lawyer, and I realized that many people actually don't know much about this area. In fact, creating a will yourself isn't as complicated as you might think, especially if your assets are relatively simple.

Let me start with the basics. A will, simply put, is telling your family and heirs how you want your belongings to be handled in the end. Usually, people hire a lawyer to help draft it, but in reality, you can do it yourself. The key is to understand the specific requirements of your state, because each state has different rules about the validity of a will. For example, when witnesses need to sign, these details vary.

There are several ways to do it yourself. The simplest is to write it from scratch, by hand, in your own handwriting, then sign and date it. This is called a holographic will, which costs nothing—just make sure you write everything that needs to be included, and it will be legally recognized. Alternatively, you can use templates; there are many free or inexpensive fill-in-the-blank templates online, usually tailored to your state, which are more standardized than freehand writing. Another option is to use dedicated will-making software, like Quicken Willmaker & Trust, which costs less than $100 and guides you through the entire process, even helping with other estate planning documents. The most convenient might be online tools, like FreeWill, which are completely free—you just answer some questions, and it generates your will.

Honestly, the biggest appeal of doing it yourself is saving money. Having a lawyer draft a simple will might cost two or three hundred dollars, and if your assets are complex, the fee could be higher, possibly over a thousand. But on the flip side, if you don’t do it carefully, a faulty will can cause big problems. For example, forgetting to sign or date it might make it invalid, and then your assets will be distributed according to state law, which is not what you wanted. Even worse, if heirs dispute the will, it could lead to legal battles, and that can be very costly.

So, in what situations is it more reliable to do it yourself? Mainly when your assets are simple, the relationships among heirs are straightforward, and you trust that no one will challenge the will. If you have minor children and need to appoint guardians, or if your assets are complicated, it’s better to consult a lawyer with estate planning experience to review it. Some lawyers offer discounted reviews of self-made wills, which is a good middle ground.

Finally, a reminder: no matter how you do it, you must sign and date the will in front of witnesses. This greatly reduces the risk of the will being challenged or declared invalid. If you're unsure how to arrange your estate plan, talking to a financial advisor can also help—they can clarify your options.