The Real Cost of DIY Estate Planning in Nebraska
It always starts with good intentions. Someone wants to save a few bucks, avoid a trip to a lawyer’s office, and keep things simple. So they go online, fill out a will or power of attorney form they found for $79.99, and print out something that looks official.
I get it. But I’ve seen the fallout too many times to stay quiet about it.
Just recently, a family came to me after their grandfather passed away. He’d used a free online will template, assuming it would be “good enough.” It wasn’t. The form didn’t meet Nebraska’s legal standards—there was vague language, no self-proving affidavit, and it hadn’t been properly witnessed. What should have been a straightforward inheritance spiraled into a costly probate mess. The family is now tied up in litigation with a relative no one had spoken to in years, all because the will left enough ambiguity to be challenged.
And before that? While Grandpa was still alive, the power of attorney he’d filled out was rejected by his bank because it lacked specific language. The family couldn’t access his accounts. They couldn’t pay his bills. They couldn’t help him when he needed it most.
That’s the thing about DIY estate planning: it usually doesn’t go sideways right away. It unravels when you’re least equipped to deal with it—during a crisis, after a loss, or in the middle of a caregiving emergency.
Here in Nebraska, wills and powers of attorney are governed by state-specific laws. A valid will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by two people. Online forms often include generic clauses that conflict with how Nebraska law defines things like “personal property” or “residuary estate.”
When it comes to powers of attorney, Nebraska follows the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, but financial institutions still look for certain phrases and authorizations before they’ll honor them. If that language is missing, the document may as well not exist—and you could find yourself completely stuck, even with the best intentions.
But it’s not just about legality—it’s about legacy.
Estate planning isn’t just about who gets the house or the savings account. It’s about protecting the people you love. It’s about making sure someone can step in if you’re incapacitated. It’s about sparing your family from expensive court battles, unnecessary stress, and fractured relationships.
Most people I work with aren’t trying to dodge responsibility—they just didn’t realize how much was at stake. They thought they were doing the right thing. And by the time they end up in my office, the damage is already done.
Here’s what I want you to know:
1. “Good enough” isn’t good enough when the law is involved.
Generic forms don’t ask the right questions about your life, your family, or Nebraska-specific requirements. A lawyer does.
2. What you save upfront, you may pay for ten times over.
Even a moderately contested probate case here can cost thousands—sometimes five figures—especially if vague documents are involved.
3. You deserve more than a form.
Real estate planning involves conversations about incapacity, guardianship for minor children, healthcare decisions, and the real-life implications of your choices. A download can’t walk you through that. I can.
4. Planning ahead is a gift.
A properly crafted estate plan is an act of love. It gives your family clarity when they need it most. It gives you peace of mind knowing you’ve done right by them.
If you’ve been leaning on an online template or putting this off entirely, don’t wait until it’s urgent. A quick conversation can uncover gaps you didn’t know existed—and the solutions are often simpler (and more affordable) than you’d think.
Let’s make sure your documents actually do what you want them to do. No guesswork. No stress. Just a plan that works. Contact me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com.