Probate & Estate Administration
It seems that there is movement toward “do it yourself” estate planning. Online and Offline advertisment point to the cost of attorneys and the lack of a real need for professional guidance. This movement because people have been somehol led to believe that estate planning process is simply filling out forms and checking boxes.
Unlike other areas of the law, there isn’t a judge or another attorney so why use a lawyer and spend all that money! Fill out some documents in the comfort of your home or office and if you don’t understand something call the “hotline” and speak to a real lawyer (maybe) for no additional charge! That hotline lawyer will probably answer your question but will that really end the issue?
Did you miss a more serious issue? If you don’t understand the issue, you can’t ask the right questions even to the best attorney in the world. Estate planning is more than just filling out forms and you should expect more than that from your estate planning attorney. Every family’s situation is different regardless of the size of the estate. Money is only one issue in an estate plan. You need to be concerned with not only money but property ownership, property transfers, guardianship, long term care eligibility, and the quality of life of your survivors during your final years. If you believe that a product like Legal Zoom will provide guidance in all of those areas, be prepared for disappointment!