DIY Estate Planning: What Online Forms Don’t Protect You From (DIY Estate Planning Risks in Florida)

With so many online estate planning websites advertising “fast,” “easy,” and “affordable” solutions, it’s no surprise that many people consider the do-it-yourself route when creating a Will or Trust. Platforms like Trust & Will and similar services promise convenience, and for some very simple situations, they may seem like an attractive option.

But estate planning is about more than filling in blanks on a form. It’s about protecting your family, preventing future problems, and making sure your wishes actually work the way you expect under Florida law.

Measure twice, cut once.

Here are a few important things online forms often can’t protect you from.

Estate Planning Is More Than Just Documents

Many people believe that once they sign a Will or Trust, their plan is complete. In reality, a solid estate plan requires coordination between many moving parts, including:

• Bank and investment accounts

• Life insurance policies

• Retirement accounts

• Real estate ownership

• Beneficiary designations

• Powers of Attorney and health care documents

  
  

Here’s one of the most common (and costly) problems we see:

beneficiary designations can override your Will.

That means if your Will says one thing, but your retirement account or life insurance policy names someone else, the account will pass according to the beneficiary form — not the Will. Online forms typically don’t review or coordinate these assets, which can unintentionally leave loved ones out or create family disputes.

Problem prevention requires looking at the entire picture, not just individual documents.

Florida Law Has Unique Rules That Online Forms Don’t Analyze

This is a big one — and it’s where national DIY platforms fall especially short.

Florida has very specific laws that affect estate planning, including:

🏠 Homestead Restrictions

Your Will cannot always control who receives your home. Florida homestead laws can limit how property passes, especially when a surviving spouse or minor children are involved.

👶 Guardianship for Minor Children

In Florida, naming a guardian for minor children requires a separate Pre-Need Guardian designation that must be recorded with the court. Simply naming a guardian in a Will may not be enough.

🏥 Long-Term Care and Medicaid Planning

Online documents do not address Medicaid eligibility rules, asset protection strategies, or spousal protections — all critical issues for many Florida families as they age.

✍️ Power of Attorney Execution Requirements

Florida Powers of Attorney must meet strict signing and witnessing requirements and include specific statutory language. If a POA is improperly drafted or executed, banks and medical providers may refuse to accept it when it’s needed most.

DIY platforms don’t evaluate these Florida-specific risks, and they don’t ask the deeper questions that determine whether your documents will actually function when life happens.

There Is No “One-Size-Fits-All” Estate Plan

Every family is different. Estate planning becomes more complex — and more important — when any of the following apply:

• Blended families or second marriages

• Minor children

• Special needs beneficiaries

• Property in multiple states

• Business ownership

• Aging parents or health concerns

  
  

Online forms can’t assess family dynamics, potential conflicts, or long-term care risks. They also don’t adapt your plan when laws change or when your life circumstances shift — which they inevitably do.

An effective estate plan should grow with you, not stay frozen at the moment you clicked “download.”

Family fight between brother and sister.

When DIY Plans Fail, Families Pay the Price

Unfortunately, many families only discover problems in DIY estate plans after a loved one has passed or becomes incapacitated.

That can mean:

• Court delays

• Increased legal fees

• Assets tied up for months (or years)

• Family disagreements and litigation

  
  

The stress of losing a loved one is hard enough. Legal confusion and document conflicts only add to that burden. What may have seemed like a cost-saving decision upfront can end up costing families far more — financially and emotionally — down the road.

Is DIY Ever Appropriate?

For very limited situations — such as someone with no dependents, minimal assets, and no real estate — basic online documents may provide a starting point.

But for most families, especially those who want to:

• protect minor children

• avoid probate

• plan for incapacity

• minimize family conflict

• prepare for long-term care needs

  
  

a personalized, Florida-specific estate plan is the safest way to truly protect the people you love.

Protection Starts with a Plan That Fits Your Life

At Worley Elder Law, we believe estate planning should provide peace of mind — not unanswered questions. Our goal is to help families prevent problems before they happen by creating plans that reflect real lives, real relationships, and real Florida law.

If you’ve started your plan online, or if you’re wondering whether your current documents truly protect your family, a review can make all the difference.

Because when it comes to your loved ones, “good enough” isn’t always good enough — and prevention is always easier than repair.

Caring Guidance for Life’s Transitions.