Nowadays, a person cannot put together even a simple estate plan without hiring an experienced estate planning lawyer. The reason is that estate planning laws are different in each state. The laws are very complicated and can be convoluted. In South Dakota our trust laws change almost every year.
Sometimes, even missed signature or a wrong word here and there or some procedure not properly followed can invalidate or change the outcome of your intent when you prepare a last will and testament, a revocable living trust, an advance medical directive, a living will or a durable power of attorney. All of these documents need to be coordinated and kept up to date on a regular basis. If your estate planning documents are five or 10 years old, imagine trying to use a