Yes. It can.
There’s a fine line between helpful clarity and legal clutter.
It’s smart to be specific in a will. Who gets what. Who’s in charge. Who steps in if the first person can’t. But too much detail can cause confusion, delays, or even disputes. Especially when those details don’t line up with how your assets are actually titled.
For example, listing out every single item in your home? That creates problems. Not just in probate, but during distribution.
Instead, use clear categories. Make use of a separate personal property memo. Focus your will on the big picture: beneficiaries, fiduciaries, distributions.
Another issue with over-detailed wills is that they’re more likely to become outdated quickly. If you name a specific bank account or property by address, and that asset changes or is sold, your will might not function the way you thought it would.
A well-drafted will should be flexible enough to account for life changes but specific enough to avoid ambiguity. It’s a balance.
Want to make sure your will strikes the right tone and level of detail? Let us take a look. It’s what we do.
