In recent years, do-it-yourself (DIY) providers have emerged in many different fields, including estate planning. These DIY software companies give people the ability to create estate plans online at a low cost. However, is do-it-yourself estate planning as reliable as having legal guidance? Read more to find out.
DIY Estate Planning vs. Estate Planning Legal Counsel
Online Legal Document Preparers
Legal document preparers, like LegalZoom, provide easy and fast estate planning. However, these DIY services undermine the complexity of estate planning. Most people have complicated life situations that put their assets and loved ones’ inheritance at risk if they use a service like LegalZoom.
Since estate planning often consists of different legal documents, it is essential to obtain legal counsel to ensure that you have what you need to accomplish your estate planning goals.
Legal document preparers, like LegalZoom, are not licensed lawyers.
No legal document preparer can legally review your records for legal sufficiency, provide legal advice, apply the law to your situation, or draw legal conclusions. People want to know that their estate planning is suitable for them and their circumstances, and the only way to truly know is by consulting with a licensed attorney.
“With DIY estate planning, you will have no idea that you messed up." - Attorney Nelson Donovan.
Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning attorneys understand the importance of creating a comprehensive estate plan that will meet an individual’s wishes during a period of incapacity or when they pass away. Estate planning lawyers specialize in helping families with seemingly simple to the most complex situations. Unlike online legal document preparers, lawyers can review your legal documents and ensure that there aren’t any mistakes.
The last thing a person would want is to leave their family with an ineffective estate plan.
If you want to create an estate plan right the first time, contact our Madison estate planning attorneys today at (608) 292-5185!
