Comments on: The Problem with LegalZoom (And Other Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Solutions) http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/ Texas Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning Attorney Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:11:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: North Texas Business Lawyer 214-628-HELP (4357) http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-7733 North Texas Business Lawyer 214-628-HELP (4357) Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:57:59 +0000 http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/?p=3054#comment-7733 [...] Rania Combs: The Problem with LegalZoom (And Other Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Solutions) [...] [...] Rania Combs: The Problem with LegalZoom (And Other Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Solutions) [...]

]]> By: Estate planning - Saving Advice http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-6257 Estate planning - Saving Advice Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:25:18 +0000 http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/?p=3054#comment-6257 [...] wills and trusts - sure it could work out, but I'd rather just go to a lawyer in the first place. The Problem with LegalZoom — Texas Wills and Trusts Law Online http://altmanassociates.com/wp-conte...angers_HD1.pdf Especially in your case where you are [...] [...] wills and trusts – sure it could work out, but I'd rather just go to a lawyer in the first place. The Problem with LegalZoom — Texas Wills and Trusts Law Online http://altmanassociates.com/wp-conte…angers_HD1.pdf Especially in your case where you are [...]

]]> By: Must I have a lawyer to start your business? No, but it’s BIG MISTAKE not to. - (214) 628-3155 The Pounders Law Firm On Demand http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-5986 Must I have a lawyer to start your business? No, but it’s BIG MISTAKE not to. - (214) 628-3155 The Pounders Law Firm On Demand Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:03:53 +0000 http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/?p=3054#comment-5986 [...] Rania Combs: The Problem with LegalZoom (And Other Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Solutions) [...] [...] Rania Combs: The Problem with LegalZoom (And Other Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning Solutions) [...]

]]> By: DIY Estate Planning Cautions | David McDaniel's Blawg http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-4230 DIY Estate Planning Cautions | David McDaniel's Blawg Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:37:53 +0000 http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/?p=3054#comment-4230 [...] answer is, perhaps, yes and no. As the following blog posts from Rania Combs at texaswillandtrustlaw.com illustrate, potential DIYers must recognize the limitations of, well, doing it [...] [...] answer is, perhaps, yes and no. As the following blog posts from Rania Combs at texaswillandtrustlaw.com illustrate, potential DIYers must recognize the limitations of, well, doing it [...]

]]> By: David Errington http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-legalzoom-and-other-do-it-yourself-estate-planning-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-232 David Errington Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:17:51 +0000 http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/?p=3054#comment-232 I am an Ohio estate planning attorney and took LegalZoom for a spin to see what they had to offer. As Ms. Combs stated, I found outdated law and misleading advice that could really cause some problems down the road. Like Stephen Bloom stated above, there is no context. For instance, you could certainly establish a testamentary trust in their will but who will be administering it? Are they aware that there will be ongoing yearly costs for filings with the probate court? Would establishing a living trust make more sense? You get the idea. On top of that, the fee they would charge a married couple for Wills is actually not that much less than what I charge. And, by LegalZoom's own admission, they are not providing legal advice (although I think they have actually crossed the line to UPL). As I tell people that ask me about LegalZoom, using an attorney doesn't guarantee that it will be done perfectly, but it certainly increases the likelihood that it will be correct and, if it isn't, at least attorneys have malpractice insurance. I am an Ohio estate planning attorney and took LegalZoom for a spin to see what they had to offer. As Ms. Combs stated, I found outdated law and misleading advice that could really cause some problems down the road. Like Stephen Bloom stated above, there is no context. For instance, you could certainly establish a testamentary trust in their will but who will be administering it? Are they aware that there will be ongoing yearly costs for filings with the probate court? Would establishing a living trust make more sense? You get the idea.

On top of that, the fee they would charge a married couple for Wills is actually not that much less than what I charge. And, by LegalZoom’s own admission, they are not providing legal advice (although I think they have actually crossed the line to UPL). As I tell people that ask me about LegalZoom, using an attorney doesn’t guarantee that it will be done perfectly, but it certainly increases the likelihood that it will be correct and, if it isn’t, at least attorneys have malpractice insurance.

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