Do It Yourself Estate Planning, and Whether It Is a Good Idea or Not.

Have you been thinking about where you want your assets to go after you die? How about who should handle your affairs if you become incapacitated and when you die?  Who is going to take care of your minor children if something should happen to you? Perhaps you have even started doing your own research about estate planning online.

Technology provides many opportunities to learn about all sorts of topics, including estate planning. Unfortunately, estate planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.  Just as every individual’s or family’s situation is different, so must their planning be as well.  The drafting of estate planning documents should represent the culmination of a well thought out financial and estate plan. Fill-in-the-blanks documents are not a “plan” and one size definitely does not fit all. Furthermore, the requirements (i.e. the formalities) for a validly written document will vary from state to state – a fact that many online resources do not account for.

As you may have already seen using various search engines, there are numerous legal document websites selling “do-it-yourself” fill in the blank estate planning documents. While internet sites can provide you with documents, they do not provide you with advice that considers the context of your specific financial and personal life. Once you have filled in the blanks, what happens when the laws change? Does the computer signal you there’s been a law change? Or what about when your situation changes and you are unsure how your documents will be affected?  Do not expect those sites to give you legal advise, in fact, because they are not an actual law firm they are legally not permitted to give you any direction or advice.  This makes it incredibly difficult to ensure your documents fit your situation correctly.

Please call 888.222.1328 to schedule a complimentary consultation to see one of our experienced estate planning attorneys to discuss your unique plan.

What the Attorneys of Morris Hall Can Do For You:
The attorneys at Morris Hall have 100’s of years of combined experience ensuring that families’ assets are protected from probate, unnecessary taxes, creditors, ex-spouses and Medicaid spend-down.  The attorneys also help those in Arizona and New Mexico to apply for and receive Medicaid assistance and Veterans Benefits.  Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead.  Our New Mexico offices are located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.  Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!

This blog should be used for informational purposes only.  It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.