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Why do I need an Estate Planning Attorney?

March 18, 2019

Estate Planning

Why Should I Hire an Attorney When it’s Cheaper to Draft my own Will Online?

In North and South Carolina, there are very specific laws regarding drafting and executing wills. In order to ensure your will is valid and complies with state law, you need to hire an estate planning attorney to draft your will. If your will does not meet the specific statutory requirements, it could be deemed invalid. If your will is invalid, then your assets will pass through intestate succession, and the state will determine who gets your property and who will care for your minor children.

Online Will Tools Fall Short

Do it yourself online will services that make it “easy” for you to draft your own will cannot properly advise you on the impact of each decision you make, nor can they make recommendations based on your specific needs. It is, unfortunately, becoming more and more common for people to use online resources that ultimately fail in a crucial aspect of their estate planning. Here are a few considerations online resources may not properly address:

• Survivorship property
• Life insurance
• Needs of minor children
• Future tax consequences

A Will Tailored for You

An estate planning attorney can help you determine what documents you need. You may need, or want, a durable power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and a living will. All of these options will be discussed with you during a consult with one of the estate planning attorneys at Helms Law Group, P.A. Our office has attorneys licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina who can help you with all of your estate planning needs. Visit our Estate Planning page for more information. To find out how we can help, fill out our contact form, or call us today at (704) 289-4577.