The Price Tag vs. The True Cost: Estate Planning’s Most Expensive Myth
“How much does it cost?”
It’s one of the first questions people ask about estate planning — and it makes perfect sense. We’re all used to shopping around, comparing quotes, and trying to find the best deal.
But in estate planning, price is what you pay upfront. Cost is what your family ends up paying later — in time, stress, legal fees, and taxes — if your plan doesn’t work when it’s needed most. And that’s one of the most expensive myths in this field: thinking estate planning is just about getting the cheapest set of documents.
It’s not. A truly effective estate plan is about protecting your family — not about bargain shopping.
You can find cheap wills online. You can even download a DIY estate plan for the cost of a streaming subscription. But here’s the question no one asks until it’s too late: what will it cost your family if that plan fails when it matters?
Nebraska probate court doesn’t care how much you paid for your plan. It only cares whether it’s legally sound, properly executed, and compliant with Nebraska’s specific requirements for wills, trusts, and other estate documents. A poorly drafted or outdated plan can cause:
Contested wills and family disputes — Ambiguities or improper execution can trigger costly litigation.
Frozen bank accounts and inaccessible assets — Without proper titling or beneficiary designations, assets can be tied up in probate.
Unintended tax consequences — Whether that’s federal estate taxes (for very large estates) or income tax issues (capital gains, RMDs from retirement accounts), poor planning can cost your beneficiaries significantly.
Months or years of probate delays — In Nebraska, even a relatively straightforward probate takes a minimum of six months because of creditor claim periods, and complicated cases can drag on for years.
Stress, frustration, and resentment among family members — The emotional toll of a problematic estate is real and long-lasting.
Here’s a simple example. Let’s say you create a DIY will online, but it misses a crucial signing requirement under Nebraska law. Your family may end up spending tens of thousands of dollars in court trying to prove your intent — not to mention months (or more) of delay. Whatever you saved on the upfront “price” is wiped out many times over in legal fees and stress.
A strong estate plan isn’t just a set of documents. It’s a strategy. It’s built with an understanding of your family dynamics, your assets, Nebraska law, and your goals for the future. A good plan anticipates complications, minimizes tax burdens, avoids probate where appropriate, and ensures your assets transfer as smoothly as possible. That kind of planning requires experience, customization, and an ongoing relationship — not a quick one-time transaction.
Estate planning isn’t about filling in blanks on a template. It’s about thinking ahead — and making sure your plan actually works in the real world.
So instead of asking, “What’s the cheapest plan I can get?”
Ask, “What’s the best plan to protect my family and minimize future costs?”
Because in estate planning, the most expensive mistake is getting it wrong. And that’s a cost no one wants their family to pay.
Ultimately, a well-crafted estate plan isn’t just about avoiding future costs — it’s about investing in peace of mind. For you today. And for your family tomorrow.
If you’d like to talk through what a thoughtful, effective estate plan can look like — or if you want to review an old plan to make sure it still fits — feel free to reach out. You can contact me at 402-259-0059 or email zach@zandersonlaw.com. I’m always happy to help.