The Myth of the $99 Will
Or why you really should work with an estate attorney
Have you been searching online for information about wills and seen the ads for the $99 will? Have you thought, can it really be this easy and inexpensive?
The old adage “If it’s too good to be true it probably is” applies here.
A $99 will doesn’t usually cost $99 because the cost only applies to “simple” estates. These wills are only for single persons, don’t include powers of attorney or health care directives, don’t account for trusts for children or people who own property in multiple states – among the many scenarios that may apply to you.
Complete estate plans from these “discounters” usually end up costing hundreds of dollars more than the ads quote. And if you do only pay $99, you’re likely to get what you pay for, which will result in headaches for your loved ones after you die or when you update your estate plan later on.
When you choose to work with an estate-planning attorney, you are also getting a wealth of knowledge of a planning professional. Your attorney will know the right questions to ask to determine exactly what your needs are; things you may never have thought about, and that a $99 will won’t address.
A few examples include:
- Children or family members with special needs or disabilities who need to take advantage of specific estate planning tools to ensure that the government doesn’t seize your family member’s inheritance.
- Business owners who need to plan for who will take care of their business in the future if anything happens to them.
- “Blended” families with children from prior relationships who want to make sure that their spouse and children are all treated fairly.
In the long run, working with an estate-planning attorney will be a better value than the $99 will. The level of protection for your assets – and your loved ones – will far outweigh the expense of hiring a professional.
Getting started is as simple as calling Limitless Law PLLC at (360) 685-0145 to schedule your strategy session with an attorney.
If you are seeking legal assistance with estate planning, probate, adoption, real estate transactions, business law, bankruptcy or debt settlement, please don't hesitate to reach out to the experienced team at Limitless Law PLLC. We're here to help.
Call 360-685-0145 to learn more.
