Jim and Barbara, a retired couple living in Arizona, thought they could handle their estate planning on their own. They found a DIY will template online, filled it out, and felt confident their estate was protected. But when Jim passed away, Barbara discovered:
Barbara ended up spending thousands on legal fees—far more than if they had consulted an estate planning attorney from the start.
The takeaway? Estate planning isn’t just filling out forms. It’s about ensuring your wishes are protected by law and that your family avoids unnecessary stress and expenses.
Many websites advertise quick, easy, and cheap do-it-yourself wills. But DIY estate planning often leaves families dealing with costly problems after the fact. Here’s what can go wrong:
Every state has its own laws for what makes a will valid.
If your DIY document doesn’t follow these laws, the court may reject it, and your estate could fall into intestate succession, leaving the court to decide who inherits your property.
DIY wills rarely include the legal tools necessary to avoid probate, like revocable living trusts or Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs). Without these, your heirs could face months—or even years—of probate court proceedings.
Online templates don’t account for Arizona’s community property rules or New Mexico’s probate exemptions. These laws are unique and complex, and ignoring them can cause significant delays and disputes.
Generic forms don’t prompt you to consider:
If these aren’t properly included in your estate plan, your loved ones may not receive them as intended.
Estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. DIY forms cannot:
Mistakes often aren’t discovered until after you’re gone—and by then, it’s too late.
An estate planning attorney ensures your documents:
Real Example: Lisa, a New Mexico resident, used a DIY template that missed legal wording for non-probate transfers. Her family spent months in court to access her accounts—something an attorney could have prevented.
Estate attorneys can set up tools like:
These tools help your family avoid probate, saving time and money.
An estate attorney helps you:
Example: Tom wanted to leave money to his special-needs grandson. An attorney helped him create a special needs trust that protected benefits and ensured long-term financial support.
Estate attorneys help secure your family’s future by:
Estate laws and family circumstances change. An attorney helps keep your plan current:
| Option | Upfront Cost | Long-Term Cost and Risk |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Estate Plan | $50 – $200 | Probate fees, legal battles, delays: $5,000 – $15,000+ |
| Estate Attorney | $500 – $2,500 | Peace of mind, legal protection, and savings on future legal expenses |
A small investment today can save your family from costly and stressful court battles later.
If you want to make sure your family is taken care of and your wishes are legally honored, don’t rely on a DIY template.
✔ Schedule a free consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney in Arizona or New Mexico.
✔ Review your existing will to ensure it complies with state laws and includes all necessary details.
✔ Consider setting up a trust or using other legal tools to avoid probate and protect your loved ones.
At Walk-in Wills, we specialize in making estate planning simple, affordable, and legally sound for families in Arizona and New Mexico.
Call us today at 480-470-7000 to schedule your free consultation and protect your family’s future.
