With so many online tools and templates available, it can be tempting to take a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to estate planning. After all, drafting a will or trust online may seem faster, cheaper, and more convenient than hiring an attorney.

But when it comes to protecting your legacy and your loved ones, DIY estate planning often comes with hidden costs—both financial and emotional. Many of these mistakes aren’t discovered until it’s too late, leaving families to deal with unnecessary stress, expenses, and even legal battles.

In this post, we’ll explore the most common pitfalls of DIY estate planning in Wisconsin and explain why working with an experienced estate planning attorney is a smarter long-term investment.

 

Mistake #1: Using Out-of-State Templates

Many online will and trust services offer one-size-fits-all documents that aren’t tailored to Wisconsin law. While these templates may look legitimate, they often fail to meet specific legal requirements—meaning your documents could be partially or entirely invalid.

For example:

  • Wisconsin has specific witness and signature requirements for wills.

  • Certain documents, like powers of attorney, must contain state-specific language to be accepted by financial institutions or healthcare providers.

  • Wisconsin is a marital property state, which affects how assets are distributed and titled. Generic templates rarely account for this.

Without documents that are customized for Wisconsin law, your estate plan might not function as you intended—and your family could be left sorting out the consequences in probate court.

 

Mistake #2: Omitting Key Documents

Many DIY estate plans focus solely on drafting a will, but that’s only one piece of a complete plan. Failing to include other essential documents can leave major gaps that create confusion during illness or after death.

A complete estate plan in Wisconsin typically includes:

  • Last Will and Testament

  • Revocable Living Trust (for those who want to avoid probate)

  • Durable Power of Attorney for financial decisions

  • Health Care Power of Attorney

  • HIPAA Authorization

  • Living Will or Advance Directive

If any of these are missing—or if they’re not properly executed—your loved ones may face delays, court involvement, or be unable to carry out your wishes.

 

Mistake #3: Misunderstanding Probate and Beneficiary Designations

Many DIY estate plans fail to consider how assets actually transfer upon death. In Wisconsin, certain assets—like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and jointly owned property—pass outside of your will through beneficiary designations or rights of survivorship.

If your beneficiary designations are outdated or inconsistent with your estate plan, it can result in:

  • Assets going to the wrong person

  • Family disputes

  • Unequal distributions among children or heirs

  • Probate litigation

An experienced attorney will review these details to ensure that your entire estate plan works together cohesively—not just on paper, but in practice.

 

Mistake #4: Creating a False Sense of Security

The biggest risk of DIY estate planning is that it can give you peace of mind without the actual protection. You may believe that your wishes are documented and your loved ones are covered—only for your family to find out later that your documents were incomplete, outdated, or legally invalid.

Fixing these problems after the fact often costs more than it would have to do it right from the start. And unfortunately, many errors don’t come to light until you’re incapacitated or gone—when it’s too late to make corrections.

 

Why a Wisconsin Estate Planning Attorney Is Worth It

While DIY tools may offer upfront savings, they often cost more in the long run—both financially and emotionally. A qualified estate planning attorney will ensure your plan is legally sound, customized to your life, and aligned with Wisconsin law.

Working with an attorney provides:

  • Legal validity and peace of mind

  • Coordination of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations

  • Strategic planning to minimize taxes and avoid probate

  • Guidance tailored to your family dynamics and unique goals

Your estate plan is more than a set of documents—it’s a roadmap for protecting the people and legacy you care most about.

 

Let Turke & Steil LLP Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes

At Turke & Steil LLP, we help Wisconsin families create estate plans that stand the test of time. If you’re considering a DIY solution—or if you’ve already created documents online—we invite you to have them reviewed by a professional.

Call us today at 608.237.1775 to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you avoid costly missteps and ensure your estate plan truly protects what matters most.