The Potential Risks of Do-It-Yourself and Internet Wills

Perhaps you’ve seen the ads on television and on the Internet. For less than $100 (sometimes a lot less), you can get a will. It may appear to be a good way to save money and time (one site says you can finish your will “in less than 15 minutes.”

But along with the savings, there are plenty of risks.

How the Services Work

The sites generally provide an online platform for customers to prepare their own legal documents by inputting data into a questionnaire. Using software and templated documents prepared with standardized language, the customers receive the final documents and can sign, execute and use them as they wish.

While some lawsuits have charged that the websites are engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (see right-hand box), the sites argue that customers fill in the blank documents themselves. It amounts to do-it-yourself law. And although non-lawyers are generally prohibited from providing legal services to the public, an individual is permitted to represent him or herself in legal matters.

Here are six reasons why wills prepared with online legal document preparation services — and without an attorney — may not be the bargain they seem.

1. Proper Execution. In order to be accepted by the court, a will must be properly executed. Under state law, certain strict signing and witnessing steps must be taken in a will signing ceremony.

For example, many states require the testator to declare to two witnesses that this is their will and it meets with their intent. If the required steps are not taken, a will could be ruled invalid and would be vulnerable to a challenge. An online will is not a good idea if you think your will might be contested. (Many states presume that a will is properly executed when an attorney presides over the ceremony.)

2. Disclaimers. Online wills generally contain lengthy disclaimers or terms of service. For example, a disclaimer may say the online service “does not provide legal services” and there is no guarantee that a will is accurate, complete, reliable or up to date with laws, regulations and administrative requirements. Although you may think you are getting a will from a company that is knowledgeable about the law, you may not be.

In addition, a disclaimer may say that compliance with laws is the sole responsibility of the person buying the online will and the online provider is not liable for any loss or injury resulting from the document

3. Less protection. Information shared with Internet will drafting services is not protected by attorney-client privilege. It is also not protected by the work-product doctrine, which provides that certain information collected or prepared in anticipation of litigation is not discoverable.

In other words, information you provide can be used against you in court.

4. Arbitration. If there is a problem, Internet services generally subject users to arbitration. You waive the right to go to court.

5. No attorney representation. An attorney is generally not involved in online will services, unless you pay extra fees. Some services advertise that they perform a “review” of wills but the documents are only checked for issues like grammar and spelling errors — not legal accuracy. Their customer service representatives cannot render legal or tax advice.

These websites often state in their disclaimers that their services are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Online legal document services may make outside attorneys available for an additional fee under a retention agreement. But these attorneys are not affiliated with the online company and are paid separately.

6. No professional advice. Online wills are not written for your unique situation. They are one-size-fits-all documents. Attorneys provide estate planning advice tailored to a client’s specific needs. In addition to a will, you may need a trust and other documents to fulfill your goals.

Standardized, generic legal forms may not address issues such as taxes, stepchildren, beneficiaries who are not blood relatives, divorce, an executor who doesn’t survive you, business succession, property rights and much more.

A qualified attorney is familiar with the estate laws in your state and will work with you to ensure your final wishes are carried out.

A will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever have drafted. Any problems with a will may not be discovered until after your death when it is too late to revise it. Do-it-yourself wills may wind up being legally invalid — do you want to take the chance?