Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your future, your assets and your loved ones. A well-written estate plan gives you peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be honored when you pass on, or if you become incapacitated to the point that you can no longer make important decisions on your own. However, in today’s digital age, there is no shortage of do-it-yourself (DIY) options when it comes to estate planning.
An estate plan is a legal document that ensures the safety of your assets when you pass on. As such, it is important that you engage a professional to help you make sound decisions when creating one. Here are three reasons why you should engage an attorney during your estate planning process:
1. To ensure that your estate plan complies with the law
When you engage a skilled estate planning attorney, you will be confident that your estate plan documents will be prepared in accordance with existing state and federal laws. Engaging an estate planning attorney can give you peace of mind knowing that your estate plan’s validity will not be questioned based on the parameters of the state law.
2. To update your estate plan when appropriate
An estate plan is not something you create and lock up in some safe never to revisit. As your life and financial circumstances change, it is important that you review and update your estate plan to reflect these changes. If you have an estate plan in place already, your attorney should routinely review it to determine whether it is up to date.
3. To provide legal counsel to your loved ones in your absence
Nothing is as important as knowing that you have a trusted legal mind that will be there with you down the road. Your estate planning attorney can also guide your heirs when you pass on or are incapacitated, helping ensure that your estate is settled in a smooth and hassle-free manner.
Most people question whether it is worth it to engage a professional to handle their estate plans in today’s era of the Internet. Unfortunately, the drawbacks to online estate planning templates can become apparent only after your death or incapacitation, much to the detriment of your loved ones.