Pro and cons of online estate planning documents

On Behalf of | Apr 1, 2019 | Estate Planning

An estate plan is a crucial tool for individuals who want to have control over what happens to their assets if they become incapacitated or die. Without at least a will, financial power of attorney and advance health care directive, Nevada probate courts will make decisions over which a person could have had complete control. By planning ahead, no one has to rely on case law or guesswork to determine what is best for him or her at the end of his or her life.

There are a couple of ways to create an estate plan. The least expensive option is to purchase fill-in-the-blank forms online. These forms meet the state probate requirements and may be completed without the help of an attorney. The downside to this convenient option is that the websites that sell estate planning forms typically don’t have attorneys available to answer questions.

The primary problem with using online forms for estate planning is that people filling out these documents may not be aware of what they don’t know. Although online forms are inexpensive as well as convenient, they are no substitute for a face-to-face conversation with a skilled professional. While online companies may have attorneys on staff, it could be quite costly to consult with them.

Of the four basic estate planning documents, nearly everyone could benefit from a last will and testament, financial power of attorney and advance health care directive. Certain people may also benefit from a trust. Before relying on basic documents purchased from an online company, it’s important to know which questions to ask. After all, by the time the estate plan documents are needed, it will be too late to make changes. Failing to create a solid plan could result in unnecessary hardship on loved ones.