The Hazards of Do-it-Yourself Estate Planning
Many websites offer customized, do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents. Although these products are convenient, using them could create serious and expensive legal problems for heirs.
My practice focuses on affordable and compassionate representation in the area of estate planning and probate. I care about the outcome of my client’s cases, and I make it a top priority to learn about my client’s goals.
Jesse Thomas has extensive experience as an Idaho attorney over the course of his career. He is an alumnus of Idaho State University and Gonzaga Law School.
Estate planning is the process of arranging, during a person’s life, for the management and distribution of their assets.
Probate is the legal process that provides authority for an individual to represent and administer an estate. Probate also provides a legal forum for any disputes that may arise in the administration of an estate.
A will is a legal document that appoints your personal representative and instructs them on how to administer your estate.
Trusts are legal entities that provide a way for clients to ensure their assets are spent according to their wishes and to protect their estate from creditors or other individuals.
Many websites offer customized, do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents. Although these products are convenient, using them could create serious and expensive legal problems for heirs.
More and more transactions are done digitally, but estate planning has lagged behind technology. That may be changing, though. Even before the coronavirus pandemic made social distancing necessary, electronic wills were gaining legitimacy.
Inheriting real estate from your parents is either a blessing or a burden — or a little bit of both. Figuring out what to do with the property can be overwhelming, so it is good to carefully think through all of your choices.