In this age of the Internet, it seems as if more and more individuals look to the Internet as a source for professional legal services. There are several companies such as Legal Zoom and Rocket Lawyer that offer to provide Wills and Trusts, and other estate planning documents to residents of the State of Florida. Although I obviously have a personal interest, I nonetheless do not think this is a good idea. I think it’s an example of being penny wise and pound foolish as the old saying goes.
So what do you get from a personal Florida attorney that the online services cannot or may not provide? First, you get a person sitting in front of you that you can speak with and look in the eye and judge whether you have confidence in their ability to provide you professional and competent legal services. Since you know the individual, you can verify that individual’s credentials, experience, and reputation. When you’re dealing with somebody over the Internet or phone, you have no idea and no ability to verify whom you are dealing with. If the idea is to exercise reasonable diligence in your choice of professionals so that the intended results are as you desire, then the ability to identify and verify the qualifications of the person you are dealing with is essential.
Secondly, having chosen a competent, experienced Florida lawyer, then you are much more likely to receive a final legal product that is appropriate for your situation and needs and fully complies with Florida law.
In short, it is simply much more likely that you are going to get what you are paying
for (even if you pay a little more) with experienced local counsel than some impersonal internet legal service provider.
