I often get questions about the need for an attorney when there are free online templates for wills and other estate planning documents.  Of course, it is cheaper to use these templates, but what are you giving up, and what problems might you be causing for your family?

Using one of these online forms may not be the best approach for you.  Lawyers are trained to ask questions to identify the documents needed to meet your goals.  For example, not everyone needs a trust in addition to a will, but if you have children, that may be the best way to go.  Do you really want your children inheriting everything when they turn 18 and may not handle money very well?  “Cool, now I can afford that nice car that mom and dad wouldn’t let me buy.”

 Also, it is easy for individuals to make mistakes on the documents from the web.  I have seen two cases in which the wills may not be valid because the person made a mistake in completing them.  If the court rules that these wills are not valid, a whole different group will be receiving the deceased person’s assets.  Don’t you want to make sure that your assets are given to the people you want to get them?  If a will isn’t valid, the good state of Florida says who gets your assets, and that may not be what you wanted to happen. 

 The money you spend on a lawyer will likely save your family time and money when the time comes that these documents are needed. 

The Bottom Line:

If you want an estate plan that is going to work for your family when it is needed, consult a lawyer with the education, knowledge, and experience to counsel you and draft the documents that suit your needs.  Your family is worth it, don’t you agree?