There are many forms that you can get online for free or cheap. While it’s true that you could go online and find forms on estate planning, it should be stressed that this is a complex area of law that carries very real consequences if not handled with the utmost care by an experienced lawyer with a background in wills and trusts. I have personally fixed numerous do-it-yourself forms with dire consequences. This is because the legal form that software generates is not tailored for your individual circumstances because it has not been personalized for you based on a lawyer’s legal advice. It is so very important to make sure that your estate plan is custom tailored for your situation.
In the estate planning world, there is no one size fits all approach. Everyone’s family situation is unique and has different dynamics in it. The forms that you find online a generic and not specifically tailored to your situation. Many lawyers make their livings from fixing the mistakes from popular websites that claim to provide whatever form you need.
Just like you don’t cut your own bangs, sell your own house, fix your own car or write your own prescription’s, you should not write your own estate plan. When it comes to protecting your family, making the decision to utilize the services of an experienced estate planning attorney is the best choice.