When it comes to creating a solid estate plan or forming a business, many people seek the most cost-effective solution. One option that may come to mind is using a certified legal document preparer. While these professionals can assist with drafting legal documents at a lower cost than hiring an attorney, it’s important to understand their limitations—particularly when it comes to providing legal advice.
At Windrose Law Center, we often emphasize the importance of a personalized and legally sound approach to estate planning and business formation. Here’s why relying solely on a legal document preparer may leave you with a document that doesn’t fully meet your needs.
Legal Document Preparers Are Not Attorneys
Certified legal document preparers are trained to draft legal documents, such as wills, trusts, LLC formation papers, and corporate filings. However, they are not licensed attorneys and, therefore, cannot give you legal advice. While they can explain the factual details of a document, they cannot guide you through legal strategies, interpret legal jargon, or advise you on how best to structure your estate or business for long-term protection.
The difference is crucial: drafting a legal document is just one part of the process. Ensuring that document reflects your unique needs and is legally sound in its execution is the other—and that’s where an attorney’s expertise becomes essential.
You Get What You Pay For
There’s no denying that using a legal document preparer is typically cheaper than hiring an attorney. However, the old saying “you get what you pay for” often applies. A legal document preparer can provide you with a basic, boilerplate document, but what they cannot provide is tailored legal advice.
For example, in estate planning, if you have specific goals regarding asset protection, tax considerations, or long-term care planning, a document preparer won’t be able to adjust your plan to achieve those objectives. Similarly, in business formation, a legal document preparer can draft your articles of incorporation or LLC formation documents, but they cannot help you decide which entity structure best suits your business goals or ensure you are legally compliant with the latest regulations.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Every estate and business situation is unique. What works for one person’s estate plan or business formation may not work for another. Legal document preparers often rely on generic templates that do not account for the nuances of your specific situation.
Without personalized legal advice, you may end up with an estate plan or business formation that exposes you to future risks. For example, in estate planning, poorly drafted documents could result in your assets not being distributed as you intended.
The Value of Hiring an Attorney
An attorney does more than just draft documents—they provide legal advice that can protect you from unforeseen consequences. At Windrose Law Center, our experienced attorneys take the time to understand your unique circumstances, discuss your goals, and craft documents that are tailored specifically to you.
While hiring an attorney may come with a higher upfront cost, the long-term benefits of having a customized and legally sound estate plan or business formation far outweigh the risks of a generic document. Doing things right the first time around will save you money in the long run.
Conclusion
Legal document preparers may be an attractive option due to their affordability, and they play an important role in accessibility. However, they are not a substitute for legal advice. When it comes to something as important as your estate or business, investing in the expertise of an attorney can help ensure that your documents are legally sound and specifically tailored to your needs. At Windrose Law Center, we are here to guide you through the legal complexities of estate planning and business formation, ensuring that you and your loved ones are fully protected.