Potential customers frequently ask me and the other attorneys in the office if they should design their estate planning forms themselves or use an online drafting service. The following three arguments favor using an estate planning attorney over an online resource.
Assumption of Value: Many customers are surprised by the first reason- with an online drafting service, you don’t get a lot for your money. Sadly, internet drafting providers effectively position themselves as a complement to or replacement for an estate planning attorney. But, as any online drafting service’s terms of service will make clear, they are not a replacement for counsel. The terms of service for the most popular online drafting service, for instance, say that the site does not offer advice, opinions, or suggestions, or apply the law to the specific facts of your situation, and that it is not a replacement for counsel. In other words, the document you obtain from an online drafting service is not for you because it might or might not be in accordance with relevant state and federal law and might or might not be appropriate for your situation. By doing this, you risk creating issues for yourself, your family, and your estate.
Avoiding mistakes: An Power of attorney Hillsboro can help avoid common mistakes that people make when writing their wills. This can help ensure that your assets are distributed in the way you would like and can help to avoid costly and time-consuming disputes between family members.
Time and Money: How many clients’ remark, “I have a simple life and need a basic plan,” I’ve lost count. Later, these same clients frequently felt that we addressed topics and results that they never would have considered on their own. Estate planning is challenging. Every family and individual has distinct circumstances that are particular to them, and the law governing the subject is complicated with consequences on both the state and federal levels. Estate planners are knowledgeable about the questions to ask to effectively uncover problems that could affect your strategy. Also, keep in mind that the way your estate plan is put up could affect the taxes you and your estate pay, the basis for which your beneficiaries receive your assets, and the speed at which assets move to beneficiaries.
