Is Using a Lawyer Really Wiser Than Using an Online Will Writing Service?
A will is the ultimate financial-planning document within an estate plan, and making a mistake when drafting yours could have potentially devastating effects on your heirs and their inheritance. If you’re considering using an online will-writing software program to create your will rather than hiring an attorney, you’ve come to the right blog! Read on for a few considerations to bear in mind before making your decision.
Online vs Attorney
Most online will-writing platforms have a disclaimer stating that their services should “not substitute for the advice of an attorney.” They follow that up by promptly making bold assertions about their product’s effectiveness and trying to convince you that an attorney’s advice is unnecessary. However, most peoples’ lives and circumstances are unique - not cookie-cutter, like the documents online software is designed to provide. Those with substantial assets, blended families, or special needs children or other dependents should never consider writing a will without the guidance of an expert attorney. An attorney is especially useful for those who want to disinherit a spouse or child, who have minor children, or who suspect a will contest.
The Truth About Online Will Writing Services
An online company’s agreement typically includes an arbitration clause in its fine print in which users agree to resolve any disputes in either arbitration or small claims court. This means that, in the case of erroneous or invalid documents downloaded from or created by the will-writing service, well-meaning users as disheartened to find that they’ve signed away their rights to a class action lawsuit in a regular court of law. These services are also prone to outdated or just plain incorrect documents, which will create a chink in the armor of your final wishes without you even knowing it.
The Truth About Attorneys
While most online will-writing services do employ their own attorneys, It can be extremely difficult to have any personal connection with them. A cookie-cutter experience can’t be tailored to your specific situation. On the other hand, attorneys ask targeted questions and specific, insightful advice regarding your personal needs. Attorneys in most states and territories in the US are required to complete regular professional development courses in order to maintain their law licenses, so they’re knowledgeable about the updated versions of local, state, and national laws governing your estate planning. This translates into a legally viable will and the proper carrying out of your final wishes.
The best way to ensure that all the documents within your estate plan are properly prepared is to visit a professional. With more than 40 years of experience counseling and advising northeast Ohioans with their estate plans, qualifies wills attorney, Robert M. Nelson, works diligently to provide you with the helpful legal services you need to ensure that all of your affairs are settled prior to your passing. Call us at 440-653-5388 or fill out the contact form on our website - we’ll be in touch as soon as we can.
