With all the resources you can find online for DIY wills and estate plans, some people think paying an estate planning attorney to walk them through the process is a thing of the past. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While some key estate planning documents are available online — and while any estate plan is better than no estate plan — anyone who has the ability to work with an estate planning attorney should absolutely do so for a few key reasons. IT’S EASIER TO GET HELP. Estate planning attorneys go through several years of college and law school before taking the bar exams they need to be able to practice law. Then, they continue to learn from years of experience. While a “fill in the blank” approach to your estate planning documents may seem easier, you’re actually setting yourself up to make several mistakes that you’ll have to fix later. An experienced attorney who knows the answers to questions you don’t even know to ask will help make sure that doesn’t happen. IT’S CHEAPER. Paying for an estate planning attorney may not seem like the cheaper option, but it most certainly will be in the long run. Every mistake you make in your estate plan could cost your family thousands of dollars in legal fees and tax burdens down the road. For that reason, it’s better to take on some short-term costs to avoid costly long-term consequences, potentially for several different people. IT KEEPS YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER. The more estate planning complications that arise after your death, the more opportunities there are for animosity to build between family members. You might believe that your family will stay together no matter what in the wake of your passing — but why leave it up to chance? By working with an estate planning attorney, you give your family every opportunity to come together after your death, rather than tear each other apart. Than It Is to Do It Yourself Why It’s Better to WorkWith an Estate Planning Attorney
Beware of These Coronavirus Email Scams They’re Still Around!
While it seems like the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic might be behind us, that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down completely — especially when it comes to internet scams designed to prey on the fear and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. It’s no surprise that scammers have found ways to use the coronavirus scare as an opportunity to steal personal information from the vulnerable. Fortunately, you can spot coronavirus scammers using the same techniques that help identify otherwise run-of-the-mill phishing scams. REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION When the federal government started distributing relief checks, several scammers sent out unsolicited emails, disguised as legitimate instructions, asking for personal information from people in order to receive their $1,200. Since many people have now received their checks, this particular scam may become less common, but always be suspicious of emails that ask for personal information, no matter the circumstances. SUSPICIOUS LINKS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES During the past few months, people’s email inboxes have been littered with advertisements for fake coronavirus tests and cures, fake alerts from government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and fake coronavirus updates. If you get an email containing an unusual link in your inbox, do not click on it — even if the email address looks legitimate. Scammers use links to spread malware on computers, which helps them get your personal information. SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MISTAKES This is usually a dead giveaway. While genuine, official updates about the coronavirus will be meticulously checked for spelling and grammar, scammers aren’t as careful. Missing periods, misspelled words, and wacky syntax errors are all hallmarks of scam emails. Make sure you carefully read any email you’re not sure about. If you can spot spelling and grammar mistakes, delete the email. Much like the coronavirus will remain in the American psyche long after cases and deaths have peaked, scammers will continue using it as a means to steal from honest, hardworking Americans. But, if we keep our guard up, we can make sure they get absolutely nothing from their efforts.
Don’t create your estate plan by yourself if you don’t have to. Call John and Justin at Phillips & Blow today at 303-741-2400 for a free consultation.
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Trusts • Probate • Long-Term Care Planning • Elder Law
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