Why This DIY Will & Trust Option Works (and When It Doesn’t)
What’s better about this DIY will and trust option? Why should I buy this one?
I’ve created this DIY option as a wills, trusts, and probate lawyer who has been guiding clients through the creation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents, as well as through trust administration and probate court after the death of a loved one, since 2011.
I decided to create a DIY option when I realized that there is a need for it — other options exist, and some portion of people will always choose DIY over working with a lawyer.
And the options that exist frankly suck.
The Problem With Most DIY Estate Planning Options
People would ask me to review their work in those forms that you’ve probably heard of, simple situations, all to my spouse and then my kids, and the kids would be doing all the work but inheriting none of the assets. Or there would be massive ambiguities, ripe for arguments, misunderstandings, court battles, and siblings never speaking to each other again.
What’s worse is that often the people making use of DIY options are the people who can least afford expensive mistakes. They have a few key assets, maybe a home and a small retirement account, and it’s important that those assets make it to the people they care about, instead of getting decimated by probate costs.
The forms options out there not only invite errors and fail to adequately guide people through their completion, even if they are completed perfectly, they just do not have the detailed language and documents to actually achieve their goals well.
Why “Simple” or “Basic” Isn’t Enough
A “simple” or “basic” trust might seem like a good idea, but it’s pretty useless if it doesn’t include the language that title companies and lenders require to complete basic transactions like loans and sales.
A simple power of attorney is better than nothing, but if it doesn’t allow your trusted agent to take RMDs for you or other basic and necessary transactions with retirement accounts, that’s a pretty gaping hole.
So Why Choose This DIY Option?
All of that and more:
Created by an attorney who’s been focused full time on wills, trusts, and probate for 15 years, and is now obsessing over creating the best possible DIY option
The option to upgrade to working with me one on one if you decide that DIY isn’t for you after all, and get a credit for the cost of your DIY option (must upgrade within 6 months of purchase)
The option to have me review your work and give you the peace of mind that your DIY docs are completed correctly and will do what you need and want them to do
What’s the right next step for you?
This DIY option was created for people who want a more thoughtful, comprehensive alternative to generic forms — without committing to full legal representation right away.
If you don’t want to DIY, your circumstances are more complex, or you just want someone (me) to handle it for you — booking a consult is the best next step.