I recently came across a situation where a person created an internet Will for somebody else. They took it to an elderly person and had them sign it.
I immediately thought of how this could be used to take advantage of people.
When you get a Will done by a lawyer there are measures in place requiring ID to make sure the person is who they say they are. Also, if the lawyer is concerned about mental capacity or undue influence, they can investigate. Finally, a lawyer is supposed to review the Will with the client to make sure it accurately says and does what the client wants.
Creating an internet Will circumnavigates all of the above steps. It is possible for someone to make a Will for someone else, take it to a vulnerable elderly person, even a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and get them to sign it.
I don’t think Internet Will companies intended this, but I don’t know of anything in place to stop it.
