3 weeks ago
Online Wills Offer Convenience but Carry Hidden Legal Risks
Online services can help people make a will quickly and cheaply.
A will explains who should receive a person’s belongings after they die.
The user usually enters information about family members, witnesses and assets.
The service then creates a document, often as a PDF.
The person must print and sign it while two witnesses also sign it.
A digital signature by itself is not enough.
A simple DIY will may work for someone with uncomplicated finances and family circumstances.
People with situations such as divorce, remarriage, several properties or NRI status may benefit from professional help.
Online will platforms generate draft documents from users’ personal, family and asset details.
Users generally must print and physically sign the will with two witnesses; digital signatures alone are insufficient.
DIY wills may suit simple estates, while divorce, remarriage, multiple properties or NRI status may require professional advice.
Prices range from ₹499 for KustodianLife’s DIY plan to about ₹30,000 for Aasan Will’s comprehensive service.
Registration is optional for validity, but may provide additional evidence if the will is challenged.
- Who
- People making wills, their families, online will platforms and legal professionals are involved.
- What
- Digital services provide DIY or assisted will-writing and related estate-planning support.
- Where
- The services operate online, with some providers offering in-person assistance and registration support.
- When
- The article discusses current online will-making services and pricing.
- Why
- They aim to simplify will creation, while helping users plan the distribution and transfer of assets.
DIY Convenience
Professional Guidance
Who the service suits
DIY Convenience
DIY services can be suitable for people with relatively simple assets and straightforward distribution plans.
Professional Guidance
Professional assistance may be advisable for people facing divorce, remarriage, multiple property ownership or NRI status.
Cost and support
DIY Convenience
Basic online plans are cheaper and let users create documents with limited assistance.
Professional Guidance
Assisted services cost more but may include drafting, legal review, notarisation, registration help and in-person support.
Registration decision
DIY Convenience
A will does not need registration to be legally valid, so users may avoid that additional expense.
Professional Guidance
Registration can provide an additional layer of evidence if the will’s validity is challenged later.
Key facts
- DIY execution requirement
- The will generally must be printed and signed in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign it.
- Yellow pricing
- Yellow’s basic plan costs ₹2,499 and its premium plan costs ₹5,499; registration assistance can raise the total above ₹15,000.
- KustodianLife pricing
- KustodianLife charges ₹12,500 for a customised will, with registration costing an additional ₹8,000–₹15,000; its DIY plan costs ₹499.
- Aasan Will pricing
- Aasan Will’s basic package starts at ₹4,999, while its comprehensive in-person service costs about ₹30,000.
- Registration
- Registering a will is not required for legal validity, but may provide additional evidence of authenticity.
- Official registration costs
- The government registration fee is ₹100; document handling or scanning generally costs ₹20–₹40 per page, and wills are not subject to stamp duty.
Sources
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