An effective estate plan should be as simple as possible, so long as it carries out your wishes.  However, some want you to believe that you need only purchase their “form” to have an effective estate plan.  Using this form, you are told, can save money and -- best of all -- the form is valid in all 50 states. 

If the cost of an estate plan is measured only by the cost of the document, that form will likely be cheaper.  After all, it does not attempt to account for your individual circumstances.  However, if cost includes the confidence that your estate will be carried out the way you intend, using a form may be the most expensive method of all.