August is National Create a Will Month, a good reminder that creating a will is an important part of planning for the future. Last week, we talked about emergency preparedness and the importance of having a plan before you need one; creating a will is another way to prepare for the unexpected and protect the people and things that matter most. A will can help you make your wishes known, protect the people and things that matter to you, and make things easier for your loved ones after you’re gone. The good news is that creating a will doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In this post, we’ll explain what a will is, what it can protect, options for creating one yourself, free legal resources, and local law offices that can help you create a will for a fee. 

 

What is a Will? 

A will is a legal document that clearly outlines your wishes for what you want to happen after your death. While there’s no law that says everyone has to have a will, if you don’t have one, your wishes for what do with your property and the care of your dependents will not be honored.  

 

What do Wills Protect? 

• Any real estate you own (e.g., your home, mortgages or loans related to your home) 
• Your finances (e.g., bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, etc.) 
• Personal belongings of value (e.g., jewelry, art, family heirlooms, vehicles, electronics, etc.) 
• “Digital assets” (e.g., social media accounts, email accounts, digital pictures and videos, etc.) 
• Health directives (e.g., choices related to medical care such as life support, etc.) 
• Your wishes for guardians of those in your care 

 

Do-It-Yourself Wills 

• Michigan Legal Help has a guide to creating your own will.  
  • They also have a very informative article that covers topics like who can make a will and what should be included.  
• Wills can be deposited at the Washtenaw County Probate Court for safekeeping. There’s a $25 filing fee. Call the probate court clerk at (734) 222-3072 for local filing rules and vault storage fees. 
  • Wills must be deposited in a sealed envelope with the following written on the outside of the envelope: 
    • Full name 
    • Complete address 
    • Social Security Number 
    • Date of birth  

 

Free Resources  

• Estate Planning Checklist via Arbor Estate Planning 

• Financial Empowerment Center– This partnership between Engage @ EMU, Jewish Family Services, and Faith in Action offers free professional, one-on-one financial counseling, as well as estate planning.  
  • Click here to schedule an appointment.  

• Legal Hotline for Older Michigan Citizens– provides free, unbiased legal advice to Michigan seniors (age 60+), including on topics such as wills and other legal documents. Call (800) 347-5297 with your questions.  

• Lakeshore Legal Aid– while their offices do not serve Washtenaw County, they do offer a free Counsel & Legal Advocacy Law Line to answer legal questions. Call (888) 783-8190 for more information.  
  • Law Line is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Wednesdays 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM, and Fridays from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM.  

 

Community Resources (fees apply) 

• Arbor Estate Planning/Law Offices of Christopher Julliet (734) 827-9450 

• Bassett Murray Law Group (734) 930-9200 

• Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices (734) 352-6950  

• Legacy Law Center (734) 995-2383 (also offers free estate planning workshops) 

Please note: This resource list is compiled as a public service. CCWC does not endorse or recommend any specific vendor, provider, or resource listed.