DIY ESTATE PLANNING
Understanding the tools before you rely on them.
Estate planning is one of the most common areas where people assume something is “simple” until it isn’t. A will, a power of attorney, or a beneficiary designation may look straightforward—but the consequences of getting it wrong often don’t show up until someone is sick, incapacitated, or gone.
This page explains how I think about estate planning strategy, when DIY planning may be appropriate, and provides links to public, authoritative resources for those who want to educate themselves or handle very basic planning on their own.
A NOTE ON ESTATE PLANNING STRATEGY
Estate planning is not just about documents. It is about:
Who has authority, and when
What happens if someone is incapacitated
How property actually passes at death
How conflict is prevented—or created
Many estate plans fail not because a document didn’t exist, but because:
It didn’t match real life
It wasn’t updated
It conflicted with beneficiary designations
No one could find it
It relied on assumptions that turned out to be wrong
My approach—whether legal or advisory—is to focus on durability: plans that still work when people are stressed, grieving, or disagreeing.
DIY: WHEN IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE
DIY estate planning may be reasonable when:
The estate is small and uncomplicated
There is one person, no dependents, and no real estate
There are no blended families or special circumstances
You understand that the plan may not be optimal, only basic
DIY becomes high risk when:
Minor children are involved
There is real estate or a business
There are multiple beneficiaries or family tensions
You want to avoid probate
You are relying on powers of attorney in emergencies
You assume “everything goes to my spouse” solves everything
The resources below are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
CORE ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS (EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW)
Wills
A will directs how assets pass at death and names an executor and, if applicable, guardians for minor children. A will does not avoid probate and does not control assets with beneficiary designations.
Common DIY mistakes include:
Failing to coordinate with beneficiary accounts
Naming inappropriate executors or guardians
Not planning for contingencies
Powers of Attorney
A financial power of attorney allows someone to act for you during incapacity. If it is missing, outdated, or rejected by institutions, families often end up in court.
DIY risks include:
Using forms that are not accepted by banks
Granting authority that is too broad—or too narrow
Failing to plan for incapacity before death
Healthcare Directives
Healthcare directives and living wills control medical decision-making when you cannot speak for yourself.
Problems often arise when:
Documents conflict with family expectations
Agents are unavailable or unwilling
Instructions are vague or outdated
MISSISSIPPI-SPECIFIC PUBLIC RESOURCES
Chancery Courts & Probate
In Mississippi, probate and many estate-related matters are handled through the Chancery Court system, administered locally by county clerks.
Mississippi Chancery Courts
Each county maintains its own records related to:
Probate estates
Guardianships and conservatorships
Real property records
County clerk information can be found through the Mississippi Secretary of State’s directory:
https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/county-election-information
(Search by county to locate the appropriate Chancery Clerk.)
Mississippi Statutes (Public Law)
Mississippi estate planning and probate law is governed by state statutes, including:
Laws governing wills and intestacy
Probate procedures
Guardianships and conservatorships
Mississippi statutes are publicly available at:
https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/
Reading statutes can be informative—but they rarely explain how the law is applied in real life.
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS & NON-PROBATE ASSETS
Many assets pass outside a will, including:
Retirement accounts
Life insurance
Payable-on-death bank accounts
DIY plans often fail because:
Beneficiary designations are outdated
They conflict with the will
No contingent beneficiaries are named
These assets frequently override what a will says.
HOW THIS CONNECTS TO MY PRACTICE
I provide DIY resources because informed people make better decisions.
Some clients use this information to:
Understand what they already have
Identify gaps or inconsistencies
Decide whether a simple plan is sufficient
Others realize that:
The risk is higher than expected
Family dynamics matter more than forms
Avoiding probate or conflict requires more planning
That’s where my work comes in.
I offer flat-fee estate planning—from basic wills to trust-based plans—designed to be clear, coordinated, and usable when it matters most.
WHEN TO CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL PLANNING
You should strongly consider legal guidance if:
You have minor children
You own real estate or a business
You want to avoid probate
You have a blended family
You want clarity rather than assumptions
Estate planning is one of the few areas where doing it “almost right” can be worse than doing nothing at all.
NEXT STEPS
If you want help applying this information to your situation, the next step is to complete a short intake form and describe what you’re trying to accomplish. I review every submission personally and will follow up with appropriate next steps.