O’Connell Law’s online planning option helps Massachusetts residents create core estate planning documents with attorney oversight and a more convenient process. It may be a good fit if you want a will, trust, health care proxy, HIPAA release, or power of attorney prepared with guidance from an estate planning law firm, but prefer to begin from home.
If you are unsure whether online planning is right for your family, schedule a consultation so the team can help you decide whether the online process or a more customized estate planning engagement is the better fit.
Your plan will give you control over:
- Who can make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated
- Who can get information about your medical condition in an emergency
- “Who gets what” after you pass away
- Who will care for your minor children if you pass away unexpectedly
While this approach is not a substitute for fully customized, comprehensive planning, it allows you to get the essential legal documents everyone needs in a fast, affordable manner. And, you’ll get the peace of mind that comes from having a plan in place for the future.
Who Is Online Estate Planning Right For?
Online estate planning can be a practical option for Massachusetts residents who want legally guided documents without starting with a traditional full-service planning process. It may work well for people with straightforward assets, clear beneficiaries, and a need for core documents such as a will, durable power of attorney, health care proxy, and HIPAA release.
It is not the right fit for every situation. Families with minor children, blended families, taxable estates, business interests, disabled beneficiaries, real estate in multiple states, or long-term care concerns may need comprehensive estate planning. The advantage of O’Connell Law’s online planning process is that clients are not relying on generic forms alone. They receive attorney-informed guidance designed for Massachusetts estate planning, helping reduce the risk of incomplete, outdated, or poorly coordinated documents.
Parents and young adults who mainly need health care proxy, HIPAA release, and power of attorney documents may also want to review O’Connell Law’s Young Adult Incapacity Plan.
Attorney-Reviewed Documents Included in Online Planning
Your plan will include all of the following essential legal documents:
- Last Will and Testament
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health Care Proxy
- HIPAA
- Living Will
- Revocable Living Trust (without estate tax provisions)
How the Massachusetts Online Estate Planning Process Works
Step 1: Choose the plan that fits your needs
Select the plan below that you wish to purchase: Single Will, Single Trust, Married Will, or Married Trust. Click on the appropriate link to schedule your interview walkthrough and purchase the plan.
Step 2: Complete the secure online questionnaire
During your scheduled meeting with Laura, she will walk you through the online interview to select your representatives as needed based on the plan you selected.
Step 3: Attorney review and document preparation
After the interview is complete, Laura will schedule your virtual review meeting with one of our attorneys. During that review, you will discuss the drafted documents based on the previously completed interview.
Step 4: Final review, signing, and next steps
Once the review is complete, you will schedule your signing meeting at our office in Natick to sign the documents. After signing, you are all set.
Online Planning FAQs
Is online estate planning the same as using a DIY form website?
No. O’Connell Law’s online planning service pairs a convenient online process with attorney oversight and document preparation. It is not a generic form website, and the firm helps reduce the risk of incomplete or poorly coordinated documents.
Can I meet with an attorney virtually before I decide?
Yes. If you are unsure whether the online process is right for your situation, you can schedule a consultation so the team can help you decide whether online planning or a more customized estate planning engagement is the better fit.
How is my personal information protected?
The online planning process is designed to gather the information needed for your documents in a secure and organized way. Avoid sending sensitive planning details through unsecured channels and ask the team questions about the process before you begin.
Will I still need to sign documents in person?
You may need an in-person signing meeting depending on the documents and your circumstances. The current process includes a signing meeting at O’Connell Law’s office in Natick after attorney review is complete.
What if my situation is too complex for online planning?
If you have a blended family, tax concerns, elder law or Medicaid planning issues, special needs planning needs, significant assets, business interests, or property in multiple states, the team may recommend a more customized estate planning path.
Choose the Option That Applies to You
We offer a few different online planning options, each of which includes all of the documents discussed above. If you have minor children, you can name a Guardian (or Guardians) for them in your Will. Choose the option below that applies to you:
REVOCABLE TRUSTS
Click the applicable button below
Get Your Massachusetts Estate Plan Started Online
*you will be taken to an external O’Connell Law sign up page