Life is about building. The serotonin release of putting our own time and effort into creating something for our family and for future generations is hard to match. The perfect at-home DIY job keeps us busy and ideally ends in a unique satisfaction. So, why not try your hand at crafting an estate plan that covers your hard work and puts it in the hands of your heirs?

You can do a simple Google search of “Do It Yourself (DIY) Estate Plan” and see numerous results. Websites claiming to provide the “new way” to create an estate plan and touting “universal” estate planning templates free of charge.

There is No “One-Size Fits All” Estate Plan

Websites claim to have DIY estate planning templates that can be used for Texas estate plans and beyond. You simply download the form, fill in the information, submit it to the relevant parties, and you are covered. This sounds great in theory, but the mere fact that different states have different estate planning laws and regulations leads to complexity and risks.

Certain states do not recognize specific types of trusts or have different limits on how and how much of certain assets can be held within certain estate planning elements. Even if you are able to find plan elements that are “universal” across all 50 states, the form your family takes and the assets you hold may not follow that universal path. An experienced estate planning attorney will work with you to ensure you have the right estate plan specific to your family and circumstances.

Estate Planning is Nuanced

We frequently have clients come to our law firm with the idea that a will or a trust will cover all that is needed in an estate plan. This concept is supported by misleading information on these DIY estate planning websites. The truth is estate planning goes far beyond just a will or a trust to include guardianship for minor children , power of attorney designations, incapacity planning, and beyond.

Failing to address the nuances of estate planning could leave you with an insufficient plan and headaches for your loved ones after you are gone. You expose yourself and your family to liability when you try to take estate planning shortcuts as these websites cannot be held liable for how you decide to employ their guidance. Your Texas estate planning attorney, however, acts in your best interest and provides high-level estate planning guidance.

You May Be Throwing Money Away

A thorough understanding of estate planning and how certain aspects of your plan could save you and your heirs significant money is important.

An estate plan can be an extension of your financial plan by taking advantage of key tax-saving measures. There is a reason attorneys have to take years of coursework to become certified to practice law. You should not be expected to know how a thorough plan can serve more than just inheritance.

These are just a few of the many reasons you should skip out on DIY estate planning and work with an attorney. Other possible problems include:

• Missing out on important changes to estate planning laws
• Failing to certify or provide proof of who drafted the documents and who/why modifications were necessary
• Exposing your children to unnecessary risk due to unclear or insufficient planning

When you work with Kamilah Henderson Law Firm, you can rest assured that you will receive personalized, purposeful, and family-centric planning. We do not take a one-size fits all approach because we know just how unique Texas families can be. Contact our firm to get an accurate and thorough estate plan crafted with care.