06/29/2026
Should You Use DIY Estate Planning Documents in Michigan?
One of the most common questions I receive as a Michigan estate planning attorney is: “Can I just download legal documents online and do it myself?”
My answer is usually the same: No — and not because estate planning needs to be complicated, but because small mistakes can create major legal problems later.
I regularly review Michigan deeds, wills, trusts, and estate plans prepared without legal guidance. In many cases, documents contain ex*****on errors, improper statutory language, incorrect beneficiary designations, or asset titling issues that could cause probate delays, inheritance disputes, or unintended consequences for surviving family members.
DIY estate planning often fails to account for blended families, probate avoidance strategies, tax implications, guardianship planning, trust administration concerns, and coordination between financial accounts and estate documents. What appears “simple” online can become extremely expensive once probate litigation begins.
Unfortunately, many families do not discover these issues until after a death occurs — when corrections become more difficult, more expensive, and sometimes impossible under Michigan probate law.
Estate planning is not just about filling out forms. It is about creating legally effective documents that protect your family, preserve assets, minimize future conflict, and ensure your wishes can actually be carried out under Michigan law.