The Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning

As a top estate planning law firm, Doane & Doane understands the importance of protecting your assets and providing for your loved ones. We offer a full range of services to help you create a comprehensive estate plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

Our team of experienced attorneys can help you with everything from wills and trusts to probate and tax planning . We also offer special needs planning and elder law services . No matter what your situation, we can help you create a plan that gives you peace of mind.

If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll work with you to understand your needs and develop a plan that’s right for you.

When it comes to estate planning, it’s important to have an experienced and qualified attorney on your side. Estate planning is a complex process, and there are many potential pitfalls. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the process and make sure that your plan is executed properly.

At Doane & Doane, we have nearly 20 years of experience helping clients with their estate planning needs. We’re dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible service, and we’ll work with you to ensure that your plan is carried out exactly as you intended.

Estate planning law firms offer a wide range of services to help you protect your assets and provide for your loved ones. Common services include:

Wills : A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your death. If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to state law.

Trusts : A trust is a legal entity that can hold and manage assets on behalf of another person. Trusts can be used for a variety of purposes, including asset protection, estate tax planning, and providing for special needs loved ones.

Probate : Probate is the legal process of distributing a person’s assets after they die. If you die without a will, your assets will go through probate.

Estate Tax Planning : Estate taxes can take a big bite out of your inheritance. An experienced attorney can help you minimize your estate taxes through careful planning.

Special Needs Planning : If you have a loved one with special needs, you’ll need to create a special needs trust to provide for their care. A special needs trust can protect your loved one’s eligibility for government benefits.

Doane & Doane offers all of these services and more. We’ll work with you to understand your unique situation and develop a plan that meets your needs.

Many people try to handle their estate planning on their own, but this can be a dangerous proposition. Estate planning is a complex process, and there are many potential pitfalls. If you make a mistake, it could prove costly.

Many DIYers who attempt to tackle estate planning  on their own end up making common mistakes, such as:

Failing to Plan For Incapacity : If you become incapacitated, who will make financial and medical decisions on your behalf? Without proper planning, your family will have to go to court to get a guardian appointed.

Not Providing for Minor Children : If you have young children, it’s important to designate a guardian in the event of your death. If you don’t, the court will decide who will raise your children.

Leaving Assets Outright to Beneficiaries : When you leave assets outright to beneficiaries, they can be subject to creditors’ claims and estate taxes. An experienced attorney can help you structure your assets in a way that protects them from these risks.

Failing to Update Your Plan : Your estate plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in your life and the law. Many people fail to do this, and as a result, their plans are outdated and ineffective.

If you’re not careful, estate planning mistakes can end up costing your family dearly. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney. At Doane & Doane, we can help you avoid common mistakes and ensure that your plan is executed properly.

If you’re in need of an estate planning law firm, look no further than Doane & Doane. We have nearly 20 years of experience helping clients with their estate planning needs. We’re dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible service, and we’ll work with you to ensure that your plan is carried out exactly as you intended.

To learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (561) 656-0200. We look forward to speaking with you!

Updating your estate plan is an important task, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Doane & Doane, we specialize in estate planning and can help you ensure that your documents are up to date and current.

We understand the importance of having an updated estate plan, and we can help you make changes that reflect your current wishes. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you update your estate plan. Please call 561-656-0200 or contact us via our contact form  to get started. 

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not decide whether to contact a lawyer based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.