{"id":13223,"date":"2025-11-23T07:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T13:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legaltalktexas.hammerle.com\/?p=13223"},"modified":"2025-12-01T12:29:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T18:29:01","slug":"theres-a-form-for-that-common-problems-with-online-wills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/wills-trusts\/theres-a-form-for-that-common-problems-with-online-wills\/","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s a Form for That: Common Problems With Online Wills"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improbably, the normally prosaic practice of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/probate\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">probate <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">law has recently gotten exciting. The cause? The proliferation of do-it-yourself <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/estate-planning\/wills\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most online forms do not include state-specific language, and very few people fill them out correctly. Some types of omissions and ambiguities can even prevent the will from being probated altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These little gems have caused family rifts and placed a plethora of probate assets in limbo. They can turn what should be a simple 5-minute prove-up hearing into years of expensive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/litigation-lawyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">litigation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are every probate lawyer\u2019s dream.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/estate-planning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate planning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consists of downloading some generic forms and filling in the blanks, then you need to be aware of some common problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Key Issues with Online Wills<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Signing Issues<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do-it-yourself wills often are not properly executed. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/wills-trusts\/making-an-enforceable-will-in-texas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas Estates Code<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has specific requirements for executing a will. There is a high risk that an internet form will not contain the appropriate execution language, that you and your witnesses will not sign it where required, or that the signatures will not be properly notarized.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Lack of Texas-Specific Language<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online wills are often drafted to be universal, meaning that they are not tailored for a particular state. They almost never include Texas-specific language. That means such big-ticket items as community property and independent administration do not make it into the document.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Incorrect Definitions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas has statutory definitions for words commonly used in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/7-necessary-estate-planning-documents-you-should-have\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> estate planning document<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s. But many online wills include non-Texas definitions for words such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Per stirpes\/per capita distributions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal property<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>4. Distribution Language Problems<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, online forms contain blanks that they expect you to fill in for your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/beneficiary-designations-in-texas-why-they-matter-and-where-you-can-use-them\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">distributions to beneficiaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But without any experience in will interpretations, how do you know that your wording will pass muster? Did you remember to include instructions about what happens to the specific bequest of your Mustang to Uncle Robbie if you sell the Mustang before you die, or if Uncle Robbie dies before you do?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Missing Residuary Clause<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often forms fail to include a basic residuary clause that provides instructions for distributing any property not previously addressed by you in the will. If a will lacks a residuary clause, then the court will find that there is a partial intestacy, meaning that the remaining property will be distributed to your heirs, who may be different from your intended beneficiaries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Executor Issues<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Problems abound with this provision in online wills. Here are just a few:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They may lack a place for you to name a successor executor in case the first one cannot serve.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They fail to include the necessary language to take advantage of Texas\u2019 short-cut probate procedures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They omit provisions for executor compensation or reimbursement of expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>7. Minors and Disabled Beneficiaries<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The forms seldom have provisions that provide for guardians and standby trusts for minors and disabled beneficiaries who cannot, or should not, receive money directly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Issues with Complex Matters<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/wills-trusts\/electronic-wills-in-texas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online wills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fail miserably when they are used for any situation out of the ordinary, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blended families<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asset protection<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family businesses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business continuity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complex real estate issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital assets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Holographic Wills and Their Risks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019ve focused on online forms, but the same points apply to a holographic will that you did in your own handwriting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion: Review Your DIY Will<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, review your do-it-yourself will with the foregoing issues in mind and consider whether the quick, cheap route is truly the best option for you and your beneficiaries. If you find yourself uncertain, you may be setting the stage for expensive litigation and making probate lawyers very happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Hammerle Morris Law Firm, we understand that estate planning requires careful thought, precision, and a personalized approach. If you\u2019ve relied on do-it-yourself wills or online forms, our experienced attorneys are here to help you identify potential issues and ensure your wishes are fully protected. Whether you&#8217;re reviewing an existing will, addressing complex family matters, or updating your estate plan, we\u2019re here to guide you every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/lewisville-attorney\/#form\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consultation <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">today to discuss how we can help secure your legacy and ensure your estate plan stands up to scrutiny, both now and in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Hammerle is an accredited estate planner and represents clients in estate planning, probate, guardianship, and contested litigation. She may be reached at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:legaltalktexas@hammerle.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legaltalktexas@hammerle.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This blog contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Improbably, the normally prosaic practice of probate law has recently gotten exciting. The cause? The proliferation of do-it-yourself wills. Most online forms do not include state-specific language, and very few people fill them out correctly. Some types of omissions and ambiguities can even prevent the will from being probated altogether. These little gems have caused [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13224,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13223","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wills-trusts"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>There\u2019s a Form for That: Common Problems With Online Wills - Hammerle Morris Law Firm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover common DIY will mistakes and how to avoid them. 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