When beginning your digital will or estate planning, it is crucial that you find a credible source to help you. Google has made it convenient for all users to allow a quick search and offer several options of cheap, do-it-yourself (DIY), or free estate planning documents, including healthcare directives, power of attorney, trusts, and wills.
These DIY legal documents might seem like a good idea; you don’t have to pay a lawyer to do it. As a matter of fact, you can do it yourself. Considering that you’ve been preparing and filing your taxes online, how can estate planning be any different? At the end of the day, these lawyers use these same forms on these DIY document websites, don’t they?
The Reality
Unfortunately, these websites that offer low-cost, DIY, and free online estate planning services want you to believe it works just as well, but it’s not the truth. Counting on the DIY online estate planning documents can cost you a lot more than a lawyer.
It is critical to understand that just because you created “legal” estate planning documents, it does not mean they will work when you and your family need them. The family dynamics, the nature of your assets, and how the legal process works upon your death or incapacity all play a significate role when estate planning. These “DIY” online estate planning “legal” documents can cost you a severe mistake during times of uncertainty for you and your loved ones. A simple mistake of trusting these online estate planning cheap websites can lead to a fake expectation of security, meeting unsuccessful goals, and plans that do not work during times of uncertainty.
These DIY online estate plans offered do not cover the entire estate planning process. Instead, they will create the idea that your family is covered; nonetheless, they aren’t made precisely with your family dynamic, which could eventually leave your family in significant and unpredictable problems. Additionally, these DIY online estate planning sources aren’t reliable on their own without proper execution. Without the help of a trusted and credible advisor, the DIY “legal” documents do not have any worth.
Eventually, trusting “DIY” online estate planning is a bad idea, worse than not having an estate plan at all.
If you or a family member have created DIY online estate planning and desire to get it professionally reviewed, feel free to contact us to see how you can get a Legacy Session. During this meeting, we will go over what would happen to your family and your assets with your current plan and discuss the ideal next step to protect you and your loved ones.
