In an age where nearly everything can be done online — from ordering groceries to starting a business — it’s no surprise that estate planning has followed suit. Online legal templates for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney promise fast, cheap, and easy solutions. For a fraction of what you’d pay an attorney, you can download a document, fill in the blanks, and move on with your life.

It sounds convenient. It sounds cost-effective. But here’s what it usually is: dangerously misleading.

The Danger of False Security

Estate planning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It’s deeply personal, shaped by your family dynamics, assets, debts, values, and long-term wishes. Using a generic form — often created for a different state, written in vague terms, or lacking important legal nuances — could leave your family in a costly legal mess. And by the time they find out, it’s too late to fix it.

One of the biggest hidden risks is false security. People often believe that because they have a will or trust — even one downloaded from a website — they’re protected. But many of these documents don’t do what people think they do. Some fail to meet state legal requirements. Others use language that’s too vague or legally outdated.

Even LegalZoom Warns You to Use Caution

Many people trust platforms like LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer because they appear credible and offer easy-to-use interfaces. But if you read the fine print — or even just the bold print — these companies go out of their way to tell you they are not law firms and do not provide legal advice.

LegalZoom explicitly states that it “does not guarantee that any Legal Form provided is suitable for a particular purpose, or that any Legal Form provided is accurate, reliable, complete or timely.” In fact, they recommend users consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the documents meet legal standards.

That disclaimer alone should raise a red flag. If the very platform you’re trusting to protect your estate and your family is telling you to get an attorney involved anyway, isn’t it worth asking whether the “quick and cheap” route is actually a shortcut to risk?

State-Specific Law Matters

In Colorado, estate planning laws are specific. If your will isn’t executed according to Colorado’s formal requirements, it may not be valid. That online template you found for $99 might have been written based on California law, which has entirely different rules. And if your document doesn’t match Colorado’s legal framework, the probate court may throw it out — meaning the state decides who inherits your assets, not you.

Planning for Incapacity Is Often Overlooked

Most people think estate planning is about death, but a significant part of it is about protecting you while you’re still alive but unable to make decisions through a durable power of attorney and medical directives.

These documents must be highly specific and carefully coordinated with your other estate planning tools. If they’re not, your family could be forced to go to court for guardianship or conservatorship — an expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining process that could have been avoided with the right planning.

Online Templates Don’t Update With Your Life

Another hidden risk is failing to update your documents over time. Online templates don’t come with a relationship. They don’t check in with you when the law changes or your life changes, like getting married, divorced, having children, inheriting property, or starting a business.

A good estate planning attorney doesn’t just draft documents; they build long-term plans that evolve with you. Without that relationship, your online documents could become dangerously outdated in just a few years.

Trusts Without Funding Are Worthless

Many people download “living trust” templates thinking it will help their family avoid probate. But unless those trusts are properly funded — meaning your assets are legally transferred into the trust or setup to be — they don’t do anything.

Trust funding is almost never explained clearly on template websites. People spend money and time creating a trust, but leave their house, bank accounts, or investment assets outside of it. So when they pass away, everything still goes through probate, and the trust might not even be used.

The Risk of Family Conflict

Poorly drafted estate documents — especially those that are vague or silent on key issues — can create confusion and tension. You may think you’re keeping things simple by doing it yourself, but in reality, you may be creating the kind of ambiguity that invites arguments, resentment, and even legal challenges.

The True Cost of “Saving Money”

The irony is that people use online estate planning to save money, but it often ends up costing their loved ones far more in court fees, legal battles, and broken relationships. The upfront savings can be a very expensive illusion.

A qualified estate planning attorney doesn’t just draft documents. They ask the right questions, spot potential conflicts before they arise, tailor your plan to your unique circumstances, and make sure everything is legally sound.

They’re your guide through one of the most important financial and personal decisions you’ll ever make.

Work With a Professional — Protect Your Family

If you’re serious about protecting your family, honoring your wishes, and avoiding unnecessary legal headaches, estate planning isn’t something to DIY with a download. It’s something to do right with professional guidance, local knowledge, and long-term strategy.

If you’re ready to create an estate plan that works the way you think it should — and protects the people and things that matter most — we’re here to help. At Lester Law, we offer thoughtful, customized estate planning services tailored to Colorado families and their unique needs.

Schedule a call with us today to start your estate plan with confidence — not guesswork.

———–
This website includes information about legal issues. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You should contact an attorney for advice on your specific legal problems.