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DIY Estate Planning

Need Professional Help? Talk to an Estate Planning Attorney.

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By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

Sure, with the right instructions you can change your own oil, fix a dripping faucet, or refinish a table--but is do-it-yourself estate planning ever a good idea? The answer may surprise you.

Most people can, in fact, create most important estate planning documents on their own, as long as they have reliable, clear instructions. (After all, you wouldn't start refinishing that table without some instructions--don't write your own will until you know what you're doing.) For example, say it's been three years since you had a child, and you know that you need a will. But you haven't gotten around to calling a lawyer, and you really don't like thinking about the subject anyway. You can easily create a simple, valid will with a software program or online app, and be done.

Later, if, you have questions or think you might need more estate planning, get personalized advice from an expert. For example, if someday you acquire so much money that you are concerned about federal estate tax, have questions about passing on your small business, or want to leave a lot of money to charity, you'll want to talk to a lawyer. Your simple will, though, will still be a fine cornerstone of your estate planning. The same is true for some other estate planning steps, such as creating a living will (advance directive), or naming beneficiaries for insurance policies and retirement accounts.

Get Professional Help
Talk to an Estate Planning attorney.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
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Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
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By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

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