Estate planning is the process surrounding what happens to your assets upon your death. There is also much more to it, such as naming guardians for your children and ensuring that your healthcare needs are met in the event you become incapacitated. 

One of the key estate planning documents is the will. Generally, this is the document that assigns your assets to certain beneficiaries. With such an important document, it is vital to ensure that it is valid in the eyes of the law. Failure to do this could result in legal challenges. 

How do you ensure that your will is valid? 

Following regulations 

If you're 17 then you may feel like an adult. You might even have substantial assets already. That being said, you are not old enough to draft a will. Being of age is only one key legal requirement for drafting a will in Ohio. 

The will signing must also be witnessed by two reliable witnesses. There are further legal protocols in place in Ohio to help prevent fraud and other types of malfeasance. Not following the law to a tee will result in your will being invalidated. 

Being pressured 

While it is advisable to draft a will as soon as possible, this is ultimately a decision that you have to make. Your family can certainly discuss the matter with you and provide guidance, but you should never be pressured into drafting a will or modifying your estate plan. 

These documents must reflect your true wishes and not those of anyone else. If an interested party can argue that you have been unduly influenced in drafting your will, then it can be invalidated by the court. 

Perhaps the most helpful tip in producing a valid will is to have legal guidance behind you. This can help ensure that you avoid errors that call into question the authenticity of your will.