Creating your estate plan today seems easier than ever. Every other ad I see on social media is for a website that advertises “do-it-yourself” estate plans, often at very cheap prices. Then, with open AI, you may ask why you would ever need to hire an estate planning attorney to design your estate plan. However, as my mother always said – you get what you pay for.
The DIY estate planning websites usually fail to explain the risks of doing it yourself or how it may go wrong. While some people may be able to successfully create and use a DIY estate plan, not everyone can. So, here are the top reasons you should hire an estate planning attorney.
Every state’s law is different, and Louisiana is more unique than most. DIY estate plan websites advertise that their wills and trusts comply with the law of all 50 states, but if you read their fine print they usually specifically state that they aren’t providing legal advice and aren’t a law firm. Consequently, these sites don’t guarantee that your will or trust will account for how your unique situation may be impacted by state and even federal law. This can lead to costly mistakes which your heirs may end up paying for. Hiring an estate planning attorney will ensure you have someone in your corner that will work with you to make sure all state and federal laws are followed. This means your loved ones are much less likely to run into any issues.
DIY estate plan websites offer estate plans at cheap prices. But they do this by creating a one-size-fits-all form for something that should be very personalized. If you have a blended family, want to protect loved ones who aren’t legally related to you, or have any other type of unique situation, you may have a difficult time creating a valid, complete estate plan with a DIY website. An estate planning attorney, on the other hand, will design a personalized estate plan that fits your individual circumstances, goals, and values.
Did you know that if your will fails to comply with the law, and if you don’t have a valid trust, then your estate will likely be caught up in the legal system’s intestate succession process? Intestate succession is the legal process that occurs when someone dies without a will, and if you attempt a DIY estate plan, it’s more likely than not this will occur. If you use a DIY estate planning website to prepare your will or trust, there’s a greater chance that something will be missed, that your plan will not comply with your state’s requirements, or that there is another issue that may cause your will or trust to become invalid. If you die intestate, a judge, applying state law, will decide what happens to your possessions, not you. An estate planning attorney has the skill and training to help ensure that your heirs are not caught up in a lengthy court battle and your wishes will be properly carried out.
Most people believe that there is no way their family members will fight over “stuff” after they’re gone. Therefore, you may believe that a simple will is sufficient to make sure your assets are divided among your chosen heirs. However, it’s not uncommon for heirs to be unhappy with the terms of a will or trust, and they may try to dispute it in court. A skilled estate planning attorney can help you limit the chances of family fights over your possessions. If there is a dispute after your death, working with an experienced estate attorney will give you peace of mind knowing that your will or trust is on solid legal footing and is much more likely to be honored by the court.
When you create a DIY estate plan, even if you use a website, you likely won’t have support after you create your plan. Why does this matter? Situations change. Laws change. Life happens. Your estate plan must be able to adapt to those changes too. Otherwise, the plan you created to protect yourself and your loved ones may not be sufficient to meet your goals. When you work with an estate planning attorney, our relationship doesn’t end when your estate plan is completed, signed, and notarized. If you should need to make a change to your estate plan, you don’t have to call a 1-800 number and speak to someone you don’t know and who doesn’t know you. Instead, you’ll have a trusted attorney to call.
When you’re sick, you can try to diagnose and treat yourself using internet medical websites, but usually you’ll see your physician instead because they have the training to give you the best care. The same can be said for estate planning. You could attempt to draft a DIY estate plan, but if you want peace of mind and assurance that your estate plan meets your needs and provides the strong foundation that your family needs, call an estate planning attorney.
A quality estate plan that fits your unique circumstances is a phone call or email away. Contact Aspen Estate Planning to get started today.
Legal Disclaimer: Your receipt of information from this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Aspen Estate Planning, LLC. This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, and it may not reflect current legal developments. Estate planning laws are complex and specific to individual circumstances. It is essential to consult with a Louisiana estate planning attorney to discuss your unique situation and create a plan tailored to your needs.
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