Estate Planning – Something You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

The advent of websites like “Legal Zoom” may lead you to believe that you can create your own estate plan without the assistance of a qualified Estate Planning attorney. You may believe or have heard that writing your intentions on a piece of paper might suffice as a Will. When you write your testamentary intentions on a piece of paper entirely in your own handwriting and sign and date it, that’s called a holographic Will. While creating your own estate plan without the assistance of a qualified Estate Planning attorney may tempt you, using a holographic Will or any other documents that were not drafted by an attorney to dispose of your estate upon your death will likely cause more problems than it solves. Below, our friends at Bott & Associates, Ltd. look at an example based upon a recent North Dakota case that highlights just some of the issues that holographic Wills create.

Assume that Bill died survived by several siblings, including Joel, and one son, Luke. Upon Bill’s death, Luke sought informal probate and was appointed as co-personal representative along with his cousin. A few months later, Joel submitted Bill’s purported holographic Will for formal probate. The purported holographic Will read as follows:

My Last Will and Testament
Bill Murray
I leave to Joel Murray
Everything I own
P.S. Bury me in Malibu
4-8-04

The court heard the petition for formal probate and Joel introduced testimony from seven witnesses, most of whom testified that the signature and all portions of the document were in Bill’s handwriting. The court found that Bill’s signature was his signature based upon the evidence offered. The court also held that the clause “everything I own” was not in Bill’s handwriting because the ink appeared lighter, the handwriting slanted differently, and that clause was smaller in text and printed when the remainder of the document was a mix of cursive and print. According to the court, “everything I own” was a material clause, required under North Dakota law. Without the material clause, the document failed to express the donative and testamentary intent necessary for a valid holographic Will. Joel appealed the lower court’s findings, but the higher court ultimately agreed with the lower court findings.

The example above demonstrates just a few of the myriad issues that arise with a holographic Will. Some states like Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin may accept a holographic Will if the document otherwise meets the statutory requirements for a valid Will, including witness and notary requirements. Maryland and New York recognize holographic Wills made by members of the Armed Forces, but only for the year immediately following the service member’s discharge. A handful of states such as Alabama, Connecticut, Iowa, Washington, and Wisconsin do not recognize a holographic Will made within the state but will honor those made in other states if the instrument is valid in that state. Finally, about half of all states, including California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia recognize a holographic Will.

Even in those states that recognize holographic Wills, uncertainty looms when folks create do-it-yourself estate plans. For example, consider the estate of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Aretha died in 2018, presumably intestate. Under the laws of Michigan, that meant the distribution of her estate equally among her four children, one of whom has special needs. A few months later, while clearing out Aretha’s home, her niece found three handwritten documents expressing conflicting testamentary directions. All three contained illegible portions, and Aretha failed to execute any of those documents with the requisite formalities for a Will. Although an expert confirmed that all documents were in Aretha’s handwriting, much remains unclear, including whether the documents were simply drafts or her do-it-yourself final estate plan. Sometime later, one of her sons obtained a fourth will along with Aretha’s handwritten notes from a law firm Aretha allegedly had engaged to help her complete her Estate Planning. That son submitted these documents to the probate court and requested that the court admit the documents as his mother’s Will. Although a trial was set to occur in August 2021, no formal opinion has yet been issued. Aretha’s family has waited over three and a half years for distribution from the estate. Are they a “Chain of Fools?” Perhaps it’s time to “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” Aretha’s written instructions; determining those instructions remains the problem.

As the North Dakota case and Aretha’s estate illustrate, holographic Wills and do-it-yourself plans create ambiguities in many situations. Lack of clearly defined beneficiaries, too many beneficiaries, and failing to account for the death of a beneficiary all exacerbate the issue. Legibility and authenticity pose problems as well. Finally, although not discussed in the above examples, consider what happens if the holographic Will or self-created plan disposes of only part of the estate or disposes of assets that the testator does not own. Holographic Wills and other do-it-yourself plans often fail to account for unique circumstances because the author lacks the specialized knowledge of an experienced Estate Planning attorney. Leaving something as important as the distribution of assets upon death to a holographic Will or self-created plan leaves the testator’s family vulnerable to in-fighting, wastes time, and causes significant expense.

Holographic Wills and self-created documents complicate, rather than simplify, an estate. It’s important to speak with a qualified Estate Planning attorney regarding your estate plan and your unique circumstances. Many estate planning lawyers recommend the use of Revocable Living Trusts as Will substitutes to avoid probate and to provide certain other protections during life, including simplified asset management during periods of disability. If you have a holographic Will, a self-created estate plan, or have considered writing one, don’t! Instead, consult with an Estate Planning attorney who can ensure that the documents you sign are legally valid, distribute your assets in accordance with your wishes, and account for your distinct circumstances. Save your loved ones that time and expense.