Our partners at Freewill have some excellent tips on avoiding mistakes when creating your will. See below for the five common mistakes people make and click on the link to read the full story.

A last will and testament is simple in concept: it’s a legal document you use to outline who should get your property and assets after you pass away. But the process of actually creating a will can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to make mistakes along the way. These mistakes can cause confusion, delays, and even additional costs for the people you love. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Below, we outline the top five mistakes people make when they create a will — and how to avoid making them yourself.

Mistake 1: Not executing your will properly
If you don’t execute your will properly — say, you forgot to sign it, or you didn’t have witnesses — your will is likely to be challenged and even thrown out completely

Mistake 2: Not updating your will
Your will is only useful if it’s an accurate reflection of your life and the people in it. As your circumstances change, your will should change, too.

Mistake 3: Forgetting about your non-probate assets
This feels like a bit of a trick, because non-probate assets are assets that don’t pass on to beneficiaries through your will. Instead, you use separate forms to name beneficiaries for these assets

Mistake 4: Not including instructions for your digital assets in your will
The average person under 70 years old has nearly 200 digital accounts. But many people don’t think to include these accounts in their estate plan.

Mistake 5: Not having a will at all
Despite what some people think, all adults should have a will — no matter their age or income.

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Don’t have a will? Click here to start your free will. If you are interested in legacy and planned giving, please contact Major Gifts Officer Tony Herrera Jr. at (915) 872-8412 or therrera@catholicfoundationelpaso.org.