How Can You Ensure Your Will Accurately Reflects Your Wishes?
July 2, 2025
When people think about estate planning, the first thing that often comes to mind is a will. It's the document that lets you spell out who should receive your assets, who should care for your minor children, and how you'd like your affairs handled after you're gone. But writing a will isn’t just about listing what goes to whom.
A will that truly reflects your intentions can help your loved ones avoid confusion, reduce the risk of disputes, and move more smoothly through the probate process. The Law Office of Blake P. Lipman, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, will work closely with you to create a will that reflects your wishes and helps your loved ones move through the probate process with clarity.
Start With a Strong Foundation
Before you put pen to paper or sit down with an attorney, it’s important to have a clear picture of your estate and what you want to accomplish with your will. This step gives you the footing you need to make sound decisions throughout the process.
Gather the Right Information:
Inventory your assets: Include bank accounts, real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, jewelry, business interests, and personal belongings.
List your liabilities: Take note of mortgages, personal loans, credit card debt, or other obligations that may impact what’s left behind.
Consider your family structure: Think about your spouse, children (biological, step, or adopted), other dependents, and any estranged or blended family dynamics.
Identify key people: Choose who should serve as your representative (also known as an executor in some states), guardians for any minor children, and beneficiaries.
Once you have this foundational information, you’ll be better equipped to make choices about how your assets should be distributed—and to spot any areas where problems could arise down the road.
Write With Clarity and Intent
After you’ve gathered the essentials, the next step is drafting a will that clearly states your wishes. Vague language, contradictions, or missing elements can lead to confusion or even court challenges.
Focus on the Following:
Be specific about gifts: Rather than saying “I leave my car to my nephew,” include identifying details like the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Use full names: Avoid nicknames, especially when multiple people in your family share the same first name.
Describe alternate scenarios: What should happen if a beneficiary passes away before you? Include backup plans to cover those possibilities.
Avoid contradictions: Make sure what you say in your will doesn’t conflict with other legal documents like your life insurance policy or retirement account designations.
A clearly written will helps minimize confusion and provides a smoother path through the Michigan probate process. The more straightforward your language, the easier it is for your loved ones and the probate court to carry out your wishes.
Work With a Knowledgeable Legal Professional
While it’s tempting to use online templates or DIY forms, working with a Michigan probate attorney can help you avoid oversights that could create problems later on. Laws about wills and probate vary by state, and what works in one place may not work in another.
Reasons to Work With a Legal Professional:
They’re Familiar With Michigan-Specific Requirements: Michigan law has its own rules about how a will must be signed and witnessed to be valid.
They Can Help You Avoid Vague or Legally Ineffective Language: This reduces the chances your will could be misinterpreted or contested.
They Can Recommend Probate-Friendly Strategies: This might include setting up trusts or making certain assets transfer outside of probate.
They’ll Help You Cover All the Bases: From tax implications to minor children’s guardianship, an attorney can help you think through things you might miss on your own.
Working with someone who knows the Michigan probate laws adds a layer of protection and confidence that your will won’t be left open to misinterpretation.
Think Beyond Just Assets
Your will is more than just a list of who gets what. It can include instructions about matters that go far beyond money and property. These personal touches can be just as important when it comes to reflecting your true wishes.
Other Elements to Include:
Guardianship instructions: If you have minor children, your will is where you name the person or people you trust to raise them.
Charitable donations: If there are causes you care about, your will can include specific gifts to those organizations.
Sentimental items: Jewelry, heirlooms, letters, or collections might not have high financial value, but their emotional worth can be significant.
Funeral or memorial wishes: While this isn’t a substitute for a separate advance directive, including general preferences can be helpful to your family.
Including personal and non-financial instructions helps your will speak to your values, not just your valuables. It makes your intentions more complete, and it gives your loved ones a deeper sense of your voice in the process. For more information, reach out to Attorney Blake Lipman.
Revisit Your Will as Life Changes
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that once their will is written, it’s done. But life changes, and your will needs to reflect those changes to stay relevant and accurate.
Times You Should Review Your Will:
Marriage or divorce: These events can significantly impact your estate and who’s entitled to what.
Birth or adoption of children: You'll want to add them to your will and possibly appoint new guardians.
Death of a beneficiary or personal representative: If someone you've named passes away, you’ll need to choose someone else.
Major changes in assets: Selling a house, starting a business, or coming into an inheritance should trigger a review.
Relocation to or from Michigan: Since probate laws differ by state, moving can affect how your will is interpreted.
Setting a reminder to review your will every few years—or after any big life event—can keep it current and meaningful. You don’t have to rewrite the entire thing every time. Sometimes a simple amendment, known as a codicil, will do the job.
Communicate With Your Loved Ones
You don’t need to share every detail of your will with your family, but talking about your general plans can reduce confusion and prevent future disputes. Communication is a powerful tool when it comes to probate and estate matters.
Ways to Open the Conversation:
Explain your goals: Let your loved ones know what you’re trying to accomplish with your estate plan.
Discuss who’s playing what role: If someone is going to be your representative, make sure they’re willing and understand what that means.
Address sensitive topics head-on: If you’ve made an unusual decision, like leaving someone out of the will or giving a larger share to one person, offer context to reduce hard feelings later.
Keep things documented: In addition to the will, keep a list of your accounts, passwords, and any relevant instructions in a secure but accessible place.
When your loved ones know what to expect, it can make the probate process easier for them and reduce the risk of arguments or court battles.
Avoid Common Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Will
Even a well-intentioned will can cause problems if it contains errors or overlooks key issues. Taking the time to address these common mistakes now can save your loved ones time, money, and stress later.
Mistakes to Watch Out For:
Not signing it properly: In Michigan, your will needs to be signed in front of two witnesses who also sign the document.
Failing to revoke previous wills: If you don’t revoke earlier versions, confusion can arise about which will is valid.
Inconsistent beneficiary designations: If your will says one thing but your life insurance policy says another, the latter usually wins.
Not updating the will regularly: An outdated will may not reflect your current wishes or family situation.
Using vague language: Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretation or even legal challenges in probate court.
Avoiding these pitfalls helps protect the integrity of your will. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for the probate court to follow your instructions and honor your wishes.
Reach Out Today
Creating a will that reflects your wishes is one of the most personal and lasting decisions you can make. It’s more than just paperwork—it’s your voice when you’re no longer here to speak. Working with an attorney can help you take the right steps. Attorney Blake P. Lipman serves Farmington Hills, the Detroit Metropolitan Area, and the tri-county area of Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County. Call the office today.