The Risk of DIY Wills in Florida

When Sarah created her will online, she felt proud of herself.

It was quick, affordable and done in under an hour. The website promised peace of mind, and for a while, she believed she had it.

She even told her sister, “Everything is taken care of.”

But estate planning isn’t just about having something in place, it’s about having the right plan. A will and an estate plan are very different.

A year later, Sarah suffered a sudden stroke and became incapacitated.

That’s when her family realized the truth: the online will didn’t help them at all.

They couldn’t access her accounts. They couldn’t manage her finances. There was no valid Durable Power of Attorney. No clear instructions. No legal authority to act. Sarah not only suffered from her illness, but suffered tax ramifications because required minimum distributions could not be paid out. The lack of a plan – the missing link in life – created chaos.

When Sarah chose the online will route, she thought she was solving a problem and helping her family. She sought peace of mind, but in actuality she put a very weak Band-Aid on a much deeper wound.

After her stroke, her family was forced into a Florida guardianship proceeding just to take care of her basic needs. This meant the court was in charge – in an expensive, time-consuming and public way. This is not what Sarah ever wanted. In fact, she had previously lived a very private life.

After Sarah later passed, things only got harder.

The will she created online didn’t fully comply with Florida law. Key details were missing. Her assets weren’t properly addressed. What should have been a smooth probate turned into confusion, delays, and disagreements among her loved ones.

The “easy solution” ended up costing far more in money, time, and stress.

DIY planning is not the answer.

A will alone is not a plan. And a generic online form cannot account for your life, your assets, or your family’s needs.

At Three Oaks Law, we believe your family deserves more than a quick fix.

You deserve a thoughtful, legally sound estate plan that works when it matters most – during incapacity and after death. You also deserve to know that your family has the legal support they may need when that time comes. Nothing can replace a Florida Estate Planning Attorney – nothing… especially one that truly cares and is here for you now as well as your family later.

Schedule your consultation with Three Oaks Law today.