IS DO-IT-YOURSELF ESTATE PLANNING A GOOD IDEA?
A lot of people like to roll up their sleeves and engage in do-it-yourself projects and there are a number of reasons why it is easier than ever to take on DIY projects. For one thing, we have all sorts of home-improvement superstores on virtually every corner these days. And there are craft and art supply outlets and auto parts stores that provide you with anything you need to get the job done.
In addition to the above, there is a great deal of information available on just about any topic on the Internet and this assists people who want to do things for themselves. However, it is often said that a little bit of information can be a dangerous thing. This is something to keep in mind when it comes to the field of estate planning.
You may see websites on the Internet making the assertion that estate planning is as simple as downloading some forms that the website will sell you and filling in the blanks. This is an area where a little bit of common sense will do you a lot of good.
When you are planning your estate you are presenting a final gift to the people that you love. Your estate is comprised of all the assets you have been able to accumulate throughout the entirety of your life. Is this something that you want to entrust to some anonymous Internet marketing company?
Each individual is different, and every family is unique. There can be no "one-size-fits-all" estate planning document because different situations call for different courses of action, and the jurisdiction within which you reside is going to have its own specific expectations.
For a veteran, it is even more important to do their planning in such a way that they can later qualify for VA benefits.
There's nothing wrong with taking the initiative to do things for yourself. But there are some things that are better left to the professionals, and estate planning is one of them.