Six Wills & Trusts Blunders You Can’t Afford to Make

Online legal platforms might seem convenient, but they often leave out the nuanced strategy and legal accuracy that a comprehensive estate plan requires. Many families come to us after using an online tool or a forms provider (like a paralegal or a financial advisor), only to find critical issues that cost them more in the long run—financially and emotionally. Some lawyers joke that the forms are good for business because they can charge double to clean everything up.

Many people think their situation is "simple" but actually have many nuances, like the year they bought their house, that should affect their plan. The reality is: online services offer generic solutions, but your life, your family, and your goals are anything but generic. A proper estate plan must reflect that.

Estate planning is rarely simple, and quality service requires more than a few hours of document drafting. Anyone offering an ultra-low package price is probably not paying for the memberships and continuing education to keep their documents up to date on laws. Their business model is high quantity, rather than quality. Also, if your lawyer charges hourly, you might not ask every question you have. Plans fall apart when people don't understand them. Ask potential lawyers:

- Are your fees flat or hourly?

- Do you offer post-plan support?

- Will you help me stay up to date as laws or my life changes?

- How do you ensure assets are titled correctly?

If they don’t have clear answers, keep looking.

Life doesn’t stand still—and neither should your estate plan. Whether you’re buying property, changing guardians, adjusting business interests, or your kids are growing up, your plan must evolve too. Even if nothing has changed with your family, the law has likely changed. If you die with an out of date plan your family is headed to court- just what you wanted to avoid!

Look for an attorney who offers periodic reviews and updates, ideally through a membership program like our Personal Counsel program. This ensures your plan always matches your needs. Also, make sure that your attorney gives you a way to keep track of your assets, like our Family Wealth Organizer, so nothing is lost to the government or titled incorrectly.

Most estate plans focus solely on financial assets. But what about the values, life lessons, and stories you want to leave behind? These intangible assets often mean more than money—and they’re rarely included in traditional legal documents.

We help you pass on both your wealth and your wisdom with our unique True Legacy Interview. That’s part of the planning experience we offer everyone—at no extra charge.

If you have minor children or young adults, planning for emergencies is just as important as financial planning. Who will step in if something happens to you? Will they have the legal authority to care for your kids or make decisions for your 18-year-old in an emergency? We’ve created solutions for both scenarios—our Child Safety Net System and our Fledgling Plan for young adults.

Ask your potential attorney:

- Does your plan set up temporary guardians for my kids if I'm simply missing, but not dead? What if I'm in a car crash and in the hospital but the babysitter doesn't know yet?

- Do your plan options have a way to protect assets my kids might inherit from bankruptcy, creditors, & divorce?

- Does your plan minimize property taxes if my child inherits my property?

Not all lawyers are estate planners—and even those who are may not be right for your situation if they don't have the real estate, tax, business or family law background that you need incorporated into your plan. Choose a lawyer who understands your unique needs and assets. Avoid generalists unless they are working with an experienced estate planner.

Ask your potential attorney:

- Does your firm focus on estate planning and keep memberships in national organizations like Wealth Council to keep up to date on estate planning law?

- Does your firm have a plan for what happens to my plan when the lawyer I work with retires or dies? What if they die suddenly? Has the firm done its own estate planning?