“Do-It-Yourself” Estate Planning?

A recent article in a national publication carried the headline: “Don’t Cheap Out on Your Estate Plan.” The point of the article was that, while computer software is available that would enable you to have a “do-it-yourself” will or living trust, this idea may have serious drawbacks.

Why should you employ an experienced estate planning attorney to draft a will, trust or other documents? He or she often will be able to spot potential problem areas in your estate and can offer solutions and opportunities that may not be forthcoming from your computer. Furthermore, the cost of using an attorney is relatively small, compared to the financial losses and family disputes that otherwise might occur after your death.

How can you locate an estate planning attorney? The answer may be as simple as asking friends or family members for references. Who was the attorney who wrote their wills or served as estate attorney when there was a death in the family? Were they satisfied with that person’s performance?

If you have recently moved to a new community and can’t get the first-hand experiences of others, call the local bar association and ask for names of attorneys who are active in estate planning and probate work. The American Bar Association provides links to state associations at www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html. Be sure to ask prospective attorneys how much of their practice is devoted to wills and probate.

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