Your Estate Planning Questions, Answered
Estate planning feels like a big deal. (It is.) But it doesn't have to be confusing. Here are the questions we hear most often, answered in plain English.
Getting Started
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Yes. If you have kids, a spouse, a home, a bank account, or opinions about your own medical care — you need an estate plan. Without one, your state decides who gets your stuff, who raises your kids, and who makes medical decisions for you. And I can tell you from 13 years of experience: the state's default plan is almost never what families would have chosen. The good news? Basic estate planning is simpler than most people think.
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It depends on your situation. If you have a straightforward family setup (married, kids, modest assets), a well-drafted DIY kit can absolutely get the job done. That's exactly why I created these kits. But if your situation is more complex — blended families, business partnerships, estates over $500,000, or plans to disinherit someone — you'll want to sit down with a local attorney. I'd rather be honest about that than sell you something that doesn't fit.
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Most people finish everything in one to two hours. That includes reading the instructions, filling in your information, and understanding what you're signing. You'll still need to schedule a quick trip to a notary, but the actual paperwork is straightforward.
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Absolutely. Even without kids, you still need documents that say who handles your finances and medical decisions if you're incapacitated, and who gets your assets when you pass. The kits work for singles, couples, and families alike.
What's Included
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Every kit comes with five core documents:
1. Simple Will — Names guardians for your kids, says who gets what, and appoints an executor.
2. Durable Financial Power of Attorney — Lets someone you trust handle money matters if you can't.
3. Advance Health Care Directive — Spells out your medical wishes and names someone to make healthcare decisions for you.
4. Emergency Information Sheet — A one-page cheat sheet with your critical contacts, accounts, and medical info.
5. Step-by-Step Signing Instructions — Exactly how to execute each document correctly under your state's law.
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Yes. Our team of licensed estate planning attorneys drafted every document to comply with each state's specific laws. These aren't generic internet forms — they're the same types of documents attorneys use for clients with straightforward situations. The key is following the signing instructions carefully. Each state has specific rules about witnesses and notarization, and the instructions walk you through all of it.
Comparisons
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Free forms are usually generic templates that don't account for your state's specific legal requirements. A missing clause or wrong witness setup can invalidate the whole thing — and you won't find out until it's too late. Our kits are drafted by a licensed attorney for your specific state. They include the exact language and provisions your state requires. Think of it as the difference between a one-size-fits-all t-shirt and one that's actually made to fit.
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Those platforms use questionnaires and software to generate documents. Our kits are directly created by an attorney. You're not getting a computer's best guess at what you need. You're getting documents refined over 13+ years of practice. Plus, our pricing is straightforward. One payment, everything included. No subscriptions, no upsells, no "premium" tiers.
Legal Concepts
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A will tells the world what you want to happen after you pass away. It goes through probate (a court process) to take effect. A trust holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them after you pass — usually without probate. Trusts are great for larger estates or more complex situations, but most families with modest assets do just fine with a well-drafted will. Our kits include simple wills, which are the right fit for most families with estates under $500,000. If you think you might need a trust, consult with a local attorney.
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A revocable trust (also called a living trust) can be changed or canceled anytime during your lifetime. You keep full control. Most people who set up trusts choose this type. An irrevocable trust generally can't be changed once it's created. These are used for specific strategies like asset protection or tax planning. If someone tells you that you need an irrevocable trust, make sure you understand why before signing anything. Our kits don't include trusts — they focus on the core documents most families actually need. If you need trust planning, that's a conversation for a local attorney.
Signing & Notarization
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Yes, some of them. Each state has different rules:
• Wills generally need two witnesses (and notarization is recommended for a "self-proving" affidavit).
• Powers of Attorney typically must be notarized.
• Health Care Directives have state-specific witness and notarization requirements.The signing instructions in each kit spell out exactly what's required in your state. Most banks, UPS stores, and libraries offer notary services for a few dollars.
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Your state has a plan for you — it's called "intestacy law." Basically, the state decides who gets your assets, who handles your affairs, and (most importantly for parents) who raises your children. The court will do its best, but the process is slow, expensive, and public. And the result might not be what you'd have chosen. A basic estate plan lets you make those decisions yourself.
Life Changes
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Life happens — new babies, marriages, divorces, moves. When major life events occur, you should update your estate planning documents. We recommend reviewing your plan every 3-5 years, or whenever something big changes. The kit documents are designed to be updated. In many cases, you can simply complete new forms with your updated information.
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Estate planning documents are generally governed by the state where you live. If you move from Texas to Utah, for example, your Texas documents may still be technically valid — but it's smart to update them to comply with your new state's laws. We offer kits for Utah, Arizona, and Texas. If you move to one of those states, just grab the kit for your new home state.
We're happy to help. Send us an email and we'll get back to you within 24 hours. If your question is beyond what these kits cover, we'll tell you that too — and point you in the right direction.
Still Have Questions?
Legal Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute personalized legal advice. For specific legal questions about your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney in your state.