Estate Planning Kerfuffles: Why DIY Wills and Living Trusts Go Wrong

In this episode of the Legal Tech Podcast, attorney Dan Siegel explores a real‑world estate planning “kerfuffle” that highlights why do‑it‑yourself wills, online legal forms, and improperly drafted living trusts can create expensive and painful consequences for families.

Using a client story, Dan explains how well‑intentioned efforts to save money—such as relying on online tools or having a non‑lawyer amend estate plans—can result in invalid documents, unintended distributions, probate complications, and significant legal fees after death. He discusses the risks of failing to properly amend a will, the dangers of improperly executed living trusts, and common misconceptions about avoiding probate and Pennsylvania inheritance tax.

The episode also addresses why revocable living trusts often do not achieve the tax or probate benefits people expect under Pennsylvania law, and why coordinated estate planning—wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations—must be done correctly and kept up to date.

The key takeaway: estate planning is not a place to cut corners. Consulting an experienced estate planning attorney up front can save families substantial time, money, and conflict later.