I believe in people drafting their own legal documents but NOT their own wills using online programs and forms. As much as I want to empower people to take ownership and participate in their legal issues, I find this option to be a horrible disaster. And I have good reason for saying this: I have seen the absurd and unfortunate results of poorly drafted wills that are often unenforceable or lead to results that are the opposite of what the drafter intended.
Here are some of the unfortunate results I have seen when people tried to probate wills they drafted themselves:
– A will intended to leave real estate to the children and grandchildren but actually required that the real estate be sold.
– A will that gave all property to the party’s ex-spouse’s children when the intention was to exclude them.
– A will that mixed up the husband and wife’s names.
– A will that might be unenforceable in the event of simultaneous deaths due to both parties allegedly predeceasing each other.
– Many wills that were unenforceable due to improper witnessing.
Our estate planning package is highly affordable: $500 for a testamentary will with a springing trust for any children or grandchildren, medical durable power of attorney, financial power of attorney and living will. The same package is only $750 for a couple. This includes an initial meeting, supervised signing of the estate planning documents with objective third party witnesses provided by our arrangement, and a follow up re-signing in the event you want to make small changes. This is a price point many people can afford and helps ensure your estate planning accomplishes what you REALLY hope to achieve.
