Key Questions to Consider Before Using AI to Create Your Estate Plan
Have you hopped on the AI trend yet? If so, you've likely used it to simplify your life. AI is great for low-stakes tasks, like creating a meal plan or workout routine. But when it comes to estate planning, many turn to AI thinking it's a simple, cost-effective solution.
The pull of DIY estate planning with AI is strong, especially if you believe your situation is straightforward. You might also think that because you don’t have much money, your situation isn’t complicated. These are common beliefs – but they’re often not true.
Here’s the reality: estate planning isn’t just about filling out forms. It’s almost always more complex than it appears. Effective estate planning must be customized to fit your family dynamics, your assets, and your values. Unless you’re an expert, you likely don’t know how your unique circumstances fit with the law or how to structure your plan accordingly. AI can’t do that. And if it’s done wrong, the legal and financial consequences can be severe. You need a human – someone who understands your family, your assets, your wishes, and how the law works – to guide you.
Before turning to AI for your estate plan, ask yourself these three key questions. Think carefully about your answers before relying on AI or other cheap legal services. Even if you’ve already done your estate plan, these questions are still important to consider.
Question No. 1: What Really Matters?
First, ask yourself: who or what is most important to you? When planning for what happens if you’re unable to make decisions or after you pass away, it’s crucial to get clear on your priorities. Is it the money you’ve worked hard for, or is it the people and relationships you’ve built? Chances are, it’s the people.
Think about how you feel when a loved one passes away. Yes, their money can help, but what truly stays with you are the memories and the love you shared – that’s their legacy. Your family will feel the same way after you’re gone. What kind of legacy will you leave behind?
Now imagine your family is left with a huge legal and financial mess because you didn’t create a proper estate plan, or the one you made failed. Would you want that to be your legacy? How would you feel knowing your loved ones had to take time off work and deal with stress to handle your affairs? What if they ended up fighting or growing apart because of it?
What about your assets? Does it matter to you if your estate pays extra taxes, or if your assets get lost and handed over to the state? Or maybe you care about supporting a cause or helping a family member in need?
When you create a Life & Legacy Plan with our office, you have the chance to control these outcomes in ways AI can’t. But it all starts with figuring out what really matters to you.
Question No. 2: How Much Does It Matter?
Now that you know what matters most, ask yourself: what is it worth? How important is it to protect your family’s relationships? How much does it matter to you that your assets go to your loved ones instead of being used to pay taxes? Understanding not only what’s important but how important it is helps you decide how much time, energy, and money to invest in protecting it.
Many people turn to AI for estate planning because they assume it’s simple. But estate planning is often more complicated than it seems. Even experienced lawyers can find the laws tricky, especially since they vary by state and change over time. AI uses a one-size-fits-all method, which means it doesn’t account for all these details. If you use AI, you’re leaving a lot to chance. So, ask yourself: is it worth taking a risk on something so important? There’s no wrong answer—what matters is that you’re honest with yourself.
Question No. 3: Is AI Really More Affordable and Simpler?
Here’s the final question: is using AI or Do-It-Yourself legal tools really cheaper and easier than working with a professional? If a mistake is made in your estate plan and your family ends up in court, fighting and with broken relationships, were the savings worth it? What if your assets are lost to taxes, taken by the government, or drained by lawyers and court fees?
When you compare the potential costs—financial, emotional, and relational—against the upfront savings AI might offer, the true value of what matters most becomes clearer. Estate planning is more than just money; it’s about protecting the people you care about and ensuring your legacy is carried out the way you want.
Your Family Deserves More Than a Simple, Budget Solution
To ensure your plan works when it’s needed and saves money for you and your loved ones, it’s essential to work with me to create the right plan. Through my Planning Session, I’ll help you get clear on what matters most, and together we’ll build a complete plan that respects your wishes and leaves a loving legacy—all at a price that works for you. When it comes to your estate plan, it’s worth taking the time to do it right. Your legacy is too important for a quick fix—it deserves the care of someone who understands your unique situation and can help you navigate the legal details to meet your goals.
As a Personal Family LawyerⓇ Firm, we know that estate planning isn’t just about signing papers or dividing money. It’s about protecting the people and things that matter most to you, ensuring they’re honored in the way you want. Once your plan is in place, you can have peace of mind knowing your wishes will be followed, your loved ones taken care of, and your legacy preserved.
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This article is a service of 20WestLegal LLC. We don't just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule an Initial Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.