What are the risks of using LegalZoom for estate planning?

Using LegalZoom for estate planning can be risky as their generic forms may not meet specific legal requirements in your state or county. Poorly drafted documents can lead to confusion and costly legal issues later, especially if they are invalidated in court.

Why should I hire an attorney instead of using online legal services?

Hiring an attorney provides personalized guidance and ensures that your legal documents are tailored to your unique situation. Unlike online services, attorneys can account for the complexities of the law and create documents that will hold up in court.

How can DIY legal forms affect my estate plan?

DIY legal forms can jeopardize your estate plan by introducing errors that may invalidate your will or create disputes among beneficiaries. Accurate and legally sound documents are crucial to ensure your wishes are carried out as intended.

When Legal Zoom Should Not Even Be A Question

Legal Zoom is not all it's cracked up to be when it comes to estate planning

Legal Zoom… You Hear A Lot About It These Days. But Is It All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

I view the attorney-client relationship as one of the most important and trusted relationships there is. It is built on confidence, discretion, and mutual respect. I work hard to ensure my clients feel secure when they place their legal matters in my hands. Earning that trust is a true privilege.

That’s why I become concerned when clients ask about using online services for wills and estate plans. Tools like LegalZoom may seem convenient, but they often lack the personalized guidance and protection that a trusted attorney provides.

One Size Legal Document Does Not Fit All

The digital age makes it easy to believe you can handle everything online. A quick search can deliver answers that once took weeks to find.

But the legal system is complex and highly specific. Online tools cannot match the guidance of an experienced attorney. They cannot account for your unique situation or the nuances of the law.

When you create legal documents to protect your business, assets, and loved ones, accuracy matters. You need documents that will hold up in court and carry out your wishes as intended.

Free Can Become Very Expensive If Your Legal Forms Don’t Hold Up In Court

Free legal forms have been available online for years. However, estate laws vary by state and even by county. That means a generic form may not meet your legal requirements or hold up in court. Paying for a one-size-fits-all document often doesn’t solve that problem.

Legal documents should provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind. Poorly drafted or incorrect forms can do the opposite. They may create confusion, expose your assets, and lead to costly legal issues later.

DIY forms are especially risky for wills and estate plans with named beneficiaries. These documents must be precise and legally sound. Even small errors can have serious consequences.

As an estate and asset protection attorney, I’ve seen how complex these situations can become. Disputes often arise when a will is unclear or improperly prepared. When a court invalidates a will, it can unravel even the best intentions and cause lasting harm to families.

Every Will And Estate Plan Is Customized, Tailored To Specific Needs And Desires

We attorneys use legal forms, but only as a starting point. A single form does not end up as the final document. We merge multiple forms. We revise language when necessary. We ensure the document does what each client needs. No two clients are alike. The key is making sure that you have the right provisions in a document, and those provisions will stand up in a court of law if questioned.

I cannot tell you a single time when a DIY legal form and online service would serve anyone better than a qualified, reputable attorney. If you choose to use an online service, the only thing I have to say is pray that you will never need to use the document.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

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Stacy McKenzie

3 years ago

Shannon and her team were great. Went in for a consultation and got my money worth. She explained and made sure we understood. I will be using them in the future.

Diane J

3 years ago

Waheed Hamid

3 years ago

We had excellent service from Shannon and her team, they are true professionals and helped us and explained every step in the process. We highly recommend The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm.

Virgil Price Young

3 years ago

Stephanie Deal

3 years ago

My father and I recently used the estate, an asset protection, law, firm for new wheels, new, power of attorney’s, and a creation of a trust. Brooke and her entire team could not have been more helpful and more professional! We loved working with them, and they took everything seriously therefore I didn’t have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend everyone at the law firm.

Barry Amos

3 years ago

Great firm. Had answers to all our questions and explained everything clearly. Never felt rushed to make a decision Could not ask for a better experience. Every one we dealt with was professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this firm for estate planning.

Lee Jay

3 years ago

Shannon provided invaluable information regarding a family estate matter. Although her firm did not quite fit our immediate needs, the consultation was informative and extremely HELPFUL! Shannon clearly explained what our next steps should be and offered to assist if we had any questions along the way. Her expertise and willingness to help puts her in a league of her own!

Alice Guppy

4 years ago

Shannon and everyone at The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm are professional, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. They answered all our questions in great detail and the plan they developed for us is exactly what we need to protect our assets and estate as we age especially with my husband's health issues.

Lynn McKibbin-Moore

5 years ago

My husband has dementia. This firm has been patient, kind and professional while we went through a move from a house of 37 years in to a condo to be closer to my daughter and her husband. (Miami to Atlanta). There was also a wedding. All in 6 months. We now have a trust, power of attorney. Wills for my daughter and her husband and more. All at a fair price. I could not recommend higher.

Tammy Lee

5 years ago

Shannon Pawley and her team are exceptional at helping families navigate tough situations. We began working with her upon finding out my father had Stage 4 kidney cancer. His decline was more rapid than expected. Attorney Pawley and her entire team expedited paperwork that allowed me to focus on my father’s care, make decisions that suddenly needed to be made for him medically and financially, and has allowed me the ability to focus more on grieving and less on legal matters upon his passing. It is obvious she is knowledgeable about the best ways to navigate estates to protect the assets for the owners and their loved ones. It is just as obvious that she is passionate and has true heart for what her clients go through. We will be using her for own estate needs, and I recommend her expertise to everybody I can. This service is worth every penny we paid as it has saved us more money and time than I could imagine.

H Jessie Brewer

5 years ago

Attorney Shannon Pawley and paralegal Alexis McCoy are legal professionals that my wife and I highly recommend. Their grasp of the Georgia law pertaining to Medicaid assistance and the interworking's of the State department is exceptional. Additionally, their client-attorney relationship skills are excellent. We wouldn't hesitate to use this law firm again should the need arise.

Dawn Hardy

5 years ago

Shannon and her team are the best! They listened to my needs and provided the best advice. They are patient and professional as well as personable, they didn't make me feel like I was just another client. Highly recommend!