DIY Legal Documents: Why Drafting Your Own Will Is Like Diagnosing Yourself on WebMD

Let’s start with a scenario.

You wake up with a headache and a sore throat. You Google your symptoms. WebMD tells you it might be a cold… or a brain tumor.

Odds are, you don’t have a brain tumor.

Still, you feel uneasy. So you go see your doctor—because Google isn’t licensed to practice medicine, and you want peace of mind, not panic.

Now picture this: you download a will template online. Or worse, you use an AI chatbot to generate one. You type in your name, pick a few beneficiaries, hit print, sign it at the kitchen table, and tuck it away in a drawer.

You’ve got a will, right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Just like a sore throat doesn’t mean cancer, that one-size-fits-all (or AI-generated) legal document might not mean you’re protected—especially under Pennsylvania law. And if you get it wrong, the consequences aren’t just anxiety. They could include probate delays, tax liability, invalid appointments of guardians, or family litigation.

Let’s unpack why DIY and AI legal documents seem attractive, why they’re riskier than you think, and what your Pennsylvania neighbors are doing instead.

Why DIY Legal Documents Are Tempting

We get it. You’re busy. You want things done quickly, affordably, and without the stress of booking another appointment.

Enter: the internet.

Do-it-yourself legal sites and AI tools offer:

• Instant results

• No attorney fees

• “Legally binding” templates

• Total control
  

They promise speed and savings. They might even look professional.

But so does a WebMD diagnosis—until you realize it’s based on your own self-assessment, not professional judgment.

The Rise of AI-Generated Legal Documents

AI is impressive. You can ask a chatbot to write a will, a lease, or even a power of attorney. It will confidently deliver an output that looks clean, structured, and full of legal jargon.

But here’s the catch: AI doesn’t know what it doesn’t know.

This is where the Dunning-Kruger effect comes in—when people with limited knowledge overestimate their competence. You might think, “This looks right,” but if you don’t know how Pennsylvania law treats that clause, or what’s missing, or how it would be interpreted by a court, you don’t know what you’re looking at.

What’s worse: AI can give you a false sense of precision. It can’t account for:

• Nuances in state law

• Specific family dynamics

• Tax strategies

• Medicaid considerations

• Titling and beneficiary coordination

• Practical enforcement risks

It can write a document. It just can’t tell you whether it fits your life.

The Hidden Dangers of DIY Legal Forms (or AI Ones)

1. They Often Aren’t Pennsylvania-Specific

“State-specific” doesn’t just mean the name of the state is typed at the top. Pennsylvania has specific requirements for:

• Execution of wills (e.g., self-proving affidavits, disinterested witnesses)

• Durable powers of attorney (statutory notices required by 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601)

• Advance health care directives

• Real estate deeds and exemption statements

Many DIY forms miss these—making them potentially invalid or open to contest.

2. They Can Trigger Unintended Tax or Legal Consequences

Take a will that leaves a house to one child. What about:

• PA inheritance tax?

• Title issues if the house is jointly owned?

• Basis step-up problems?

• Family members not mentioned?

It’s not just about having a document—it’s about making sure it works as intended.

3. They Create a False Sense of Security

The most dangerous legal documents aren’t the ones that are missing. They’re the ones you think are correct but aren’t.

AI and DIY platforms don’t evaluate your full picture. They don’t ask:

• What are your goals?

• Who do you trust?

• What’s the family dynamic?

• Are there business or real estate assets?

• Is long-term care planning important?

• What do your existing beneficiary designations say?

Why Our Clients Choose Ament Law Group

Here’s what we do differently:

1. We Talk to You First

We don’t start with a form—we start with a conversation. We ask questions. We listen. We figure out what you’re really trying to do—not just what document you think you need.

2. We Apply Legal Judgment

With decades of combined experience, we apply Pennsylvania law and real-world experience to recommend what works, not just what’s available.

3. We Tailor It to You

Whether it’s an estate plan, power of attorney, deed transfer, or business agreement, we don’t use one-size-fits-all forms. We build your plan around your goals, not just your assets.

4. We Get It Right

Our documents meet statutory requirements, consider tax impact, protect against disputes, and ensure that your intentions are clearly carried out.

5. We Help You Understand

We don’t just hand you papers. We explain them in plain English. Our goal is for you—and your family—to feel confident and prepared.

Examples of Real-World DIY Problems We’ve Fixed

• A client used an online will service. It left out a residuary clause, causing thousands of dollars in intestate probate.

• Another created a power of attorney without the required PA statutory notice. It was rejected by banks and had to be re-executed with witnesses and a notary.

• We’ve seen trust documents with no funding instructions, deeds recorded with wrong vesting language, and joint ownership that unintentionally disinherited children.

Fixing these problems is always more expensive and stressful than doing it correctly upfront.

What to Do Instead

If you’re in Pennsylvania and you’re thinking about:

• Writing a will

• Creating a power of attorney

• Transferring your home

• Forming a trust

• Protecting your family

• Managing inheritance taxes

…don’t go it alone.

Ament Law Group: Here to Help Pennsylvanians Get It Right

At Ament Law Group, P.C., we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania with tailored estate planning, real estate, business law, and probate services. We combine decades of experience with a commitment to listening first, drafting second.

Call us today at (724) 733-3500

Email us at contact@ament.law

Visit www.ament.law to learn more or schedule your free consultation.

Don’t just download a form. Get real legal guidance, built for real life.

Because you probably don’t have cancer—but it’s still better to talk to a doctor.