Estate Planning in the Age of AI: What You Need to Know
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized how we live, work, and even think. It drafts emails, analyzes data, and helps us make decisions faster than ever before. But as AI continues to shape the modern world, an important question arises:
Should it play a role in something as personal and legally significant as estate planning?
The Rise of AI-Generated Wills and Trusts
In recent months, more people have told me the same story:
They opened ChatGPT, typed in a few family details, and asked it to create a Will or Trust. Within seconds, they had a professional-looking document with formal language, neat structure, and even a few “whereas” clauses sprinkled throughout. It looked legitimate. It felt efficient.
Until someone took a closer look.
Good Technology. Bad Law.
AI is brilliant at generating language, but it doesn’t understand law. It doesn’t know your state’s statutes, local probate court requirements, or the nuances of family dynamics that shape a truly effective estate plan.
That’s not its fault; it’s simply not a lawyer.
Even the most polished AI-generated Wills often include critical issues, such as:
Generic templates that fail to reflect your actual wishes
Missing legal formalities, like witness signatures or notarization
Conflicting or vague clauses that create confusion later
No plan for backup guardians, trustees, or executors
Incorrect assumptions about how property is titled or passed down
These problems may not show up right away. But when they do, it’s usually during probate when your loved ones are already dealing with enough.
When AI Gets It Wrong
An estate plan is more than paperwork. It’s a legally binding roadmap for how your assets are handled, your children are cared for, and your legacy is protected.
If a Will is found invalid, courts rely on state intestacy laws, which means the state decides who receives your property.
If a Trust is improperly structured, it may fail to avoid probate or achieve your tax and privacy goals.
That can lead to costly delays, unnecessary taxes, and painful family conflict, all from one flawed document.
You Don’t Have to Start Over
If you’ve used ChatGPT or another AI platform to draft your estate plan, you’ve already taken a proactive step. You’re thinking ahead, and that’s something to celebrate.
Now it’s time to make sure your plan actually works.
At Russo Law Offices, we offer legal reviews for AI-generated and DIY estate planning documents. During this process, we will:
Review your draft for legal accuracy and compliance with Illinois law
Identify red flags or missing provisions
Translate the legal language into plain English
Recommend revisions to make it valid and enforceable
You’ve done the hard part, thinking about your future. Let’s make sure it’s protected.
AI Can Help, But It Can’t Replace Human Judgment
AI can speed up ideas, organize information, and even help you prepare questions for your attorney. But it can’t understand your family dynamics, foresee potential disputes, or ensure your documents hold up in court.
Estate planning isn’t just about documents but about understanding people, values, and legacy. That’s something only a human can do.
Ready for Peace of Mind?
If you’ve used ChatGPT or another AI platform to create your Will or Trust, don’t assume it’s complete.
Let a qualified attorney review it before you sign. You’ll move forward with clarity and confidence, knowing your plan does what you intended: protect the people and the life you love.
📄 Book your legal review today:
https://russolaw.cliogrow.com/book
Want to learn more about the risks of DIY planning?
Read our related post: What Can Go Wrong with DIY Wills and Trusts
Get Started Today: Download our FREE Guide to Writing a Will to learn more about your options and get started with confidence.
*The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Each individual's situation is unique, and the laws regarding estate planning can vary by jurisdiction. It is essential to consult with a qualified estate planning attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and to receive personalized legal advice. Russo Law Offices is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information contained in this post.