These days you can find information on any subject by simply popping a term into a search engine. This is fantastic on the one hand because this rapid access to information has transformed how we do business, how we learn, and how we conduct our lives. However, they say that a little bit of information can be a dangerous thing, and this is something to keep in mind as you go forward in the information age.
There are some things that you can take on for yourself when you find out enough information about the subject online. Do-it-yourself projects are certainly a good thing when you can do them effectively and efficiently. However, there are some matters that should never be undertaken without professional advice, and one of them is estate planning.
On the Internet there are websites that want you to believe that anyone can devise an estate plan by simply downloading a generic blank template document offered by the website in question if you’re willing to pay the price. While it is legal for you to fill out the form, whether or not it will be considered to be legally binding once it is placed under the scrutiny of the probate court is another matter.
Your family is unique and your intentions are specific to you and you alone. Crafting your legacy is a personal matter, and it is one that requires individualized attention. The typical layperson lacks the experience to fully understanding all of the different legal instruments that are typically involved in a comprehensive estate plan. There are many things to consider, and devising a comprehensive estate plan is not as simple as filling in the blanks on a generic document.
There are many things that you can sensibly turn into a DIY project, but estate planning is not one of them. The only way to be certain that your wishes will be carried out and your family will be protected is to engage the assistance of an experienced and licensed estate planning attorney.
John’s practice focuses on the use of Wills and Living Trusts in Estate Planning to help individuals protect their families and preserve their legacies after their deaths, but his practice also focuses on the critical issues of protecting individuals with dementia or other diminished capacity, assisting individuals in qualifying for Medicaid and other government benefits to offset the costs of long-term care, and providing special needs planning.
John is admitted to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio, and he is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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