There is no question about it; lawyers are not cheap. The concern over costs often drives individuals to try handling certain legal tasks on their own. This is especially true in the realm of estate planning—people will often try a do-it-yourself will or trust based on an online form or book. And while DIY estate planning is absolutely the least expensive option up front, it often causes extensive grief and financial loss down the road.

3 Reasons You Should Have Hired a Lawyer in the First Place

1. You have a legal question. DIY providers do not and cannot offer legal advice. They are not able to advise you concerning your unique circumstances, goals and needs. And they provide standard documents that cannot take into account every state’s rules regarding estate planning and probate. So even if you choose to work through LegalZoom, Nolo or some other DIY provider, you may end up calling a lawyer anyway and having to pay for consultation time to discuss your questions or concerns.
2. You made a mistake. One term used incorrectly, one preference incorrectly stated, one detail completely left out, or an improperly executed document—these are just a few of the ways a DIY will can become null and void at worst, or cause extreme family strife in the least. If you are lucky enough to catch the mistake before you pass away, at least you have the chance to fix it. But fixing it will come at a cost, as you will need to work with a lawyer to discuss your intentions, review your will and make revisions.
3. You need help after you create your documents. You have a trust and a will. But are they effective? Are you certain you have set everything in motion to fund your trust? Are your named beneficiaries consistent across your will, life insurance policies, bank accounts, etc.? If you are unsure how to do all of this, you will need a lawyer to assist you. And the time it takes to catch your lawyer up, and have your lawyer review all of your documents, and then to gain assistance will likely cost you more than had you gone to a lawyer in the first place.

Don’t Fall Victim to the Low Prices of DIY. Call a Lawyer First.

Do-it-yourself estate planning providers make their products financially accessible. But those products are not for everyone. Before your dive in to either a DIY will or sign on the dotted line for all necessary documents with an estate planning lawyer, make a phone call. Schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer who can help you identify what documents you need and whether the DIY route is right for you.

Photo Credit: Ken Mayer (some rights reserved)