Our Experienced Estate Planning Attorneys Explain the Dangers of Writing a DIY AI Will
When you’re ready to write your will, you may be tempted to use free AI technology available on the internet. However, because it’s important to understand the rules and laws that make a will legal, you should be very careful about relying on bots and AI content generators to create such an important document.
The skilled estate planning lawyers at Landskind & Ricaforte know that AI tools can only provide you with basic content and a generic document. To write a comprehensive estate plan, you need legal guidance and experience to help you with the financial and legal terminology as well as the critical thinking necessary for creating documents that protect your and your family’s future. Schedule a free consultation with our firm to learn how we may be able to assist you.
Why an AI-Created Will Is Risky ![Words AI held in robotic hand against graphic indicating internet]()
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a kind of computer software that can be used to perform certain tasks that generally need human intelligence. Because AI can occasionally make processes more efficient, some people believe that using it to create legal documents will simplify estate planning.
However, it’s critical to know the risks when using AI software for legal documents.
Comprehensive estate planning starts with an in-depth conversation between you and an attorney. This detailed approach requires personal interaction so your legal counsel understands exactly what you want from your plan. Sometimes, estate planning is emotional and multifaceted, often involving delicate issues that AI can’t address. In our experience, if you use AI to create your will, you may face numerous problems. Here are just a few.
DIY AI Wills May Not Be Legal
You may create a DIY version that appears legitimate and legal. It might provide space for all the basic information and even look official. However, wills have to be structured according to New York laws, and if there are mistakes, if the AI generation excluded important information, or if you’ve included inaccurate content, these factors could jeopardize or invalidate the legality of the document, and it may not be enforceable.
An AI-Created Will May Not Have All Your Requirements
An AI tool won’t know your individual needs, so it spits out a generic document. An experienced, skilled estate planning lawyer will work with you to create a customized plan that fits your unique situation rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. It’s possible that after you create an AI will, your attorney points out valid reasons you may need additional asset protection for your heirs and beneficiaries, including the creation of a trust. This suggestion might help your beneficiaries avoid probate court and legal problems that could cost thousands of dollars.
AI Can’t Ask Questions
When you first consider making a will, you might think it’s a simple process because you don’t have many assets. But a savvy estate planning attorney digs deeper and asks comprehensive questions to examine the entirety of your estate and the potential needs of your family. For example:
- You may not realize that your digital assets, such as frequent flyer miles or credit card points, have value.
- It’s also possible to learn how a will or trust can be used to help protect a special needs child.
- Maybe you’ve forgotten that you own a small life insurance policy through your company.
AI tools simply don’t have the ability to assess all aspects of your life and your family’s future. But the estate planning professionals at Landskind & Ricaforte know how to look beyond the obvious, available assets to others that need to be addressed, as well as the needs of your loved ones.
AI-Generated Documents Are More Vulnerable to Challenges
DIY wills are legal—however, the terminology and language must be clear and accurate. If there is even one mistake or one problem with the way the decedent wrote the document, an heir or beneficiary can challenge the will in court. When heirs fight over an estate, it’s sometimes because the decedent used an AI tool to write it.
AI Tools Don’t Offer Essential Financial Analysis Like Landskind & Ricaforte
When you create an estate plan, you’ll likely need guidance from an attorney that includes interpretation and analysis of your finances. While an AI tool may offer recommendations for how to deal with your money, it can’t provide an in-depth discussion about important decisions you need to make about your assets and wealth. Our team can give you a type of guidance that an AI tool can’t.