Why AI Cannot Create a Valid Estate Plan in Pennsylvania
- Ashley Sharek
- Oct 10
- 5 min read
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way people interact with technology. From generating articles to answering questions in real time, it has become a tool many turn to for convenience. Estate planning, however, is not something that should be left in the hands of a machine.
In Pennsylvania, estate planning is highly personalized. It must reflect your family’s needs, comply with state-specific laws, and protect what matters most to you. A generic online document cannot accomplish that.
This article explores why artificial intelligence falls short when it comes to creating a valid estate plan and explains how working with a dedicated law firm can protect your legacy, your loved ones, and your peace of mind.
AI Lacks the Human Touch Needed for Estate Planning
Estate planning requires more than just filling out forms. It involves understanding complex family dynamics, long-term goals, and personal concerns that do not appear in a questionnaire.
Some families have minor children, blended households, or loved ones with special needs. Others worry about protecting assets from potential lawsuits, divorces, or creditors. These concerns are deeply personal and deserve thoughtful guidance.
Artificial intelligence cannot engage in real conversation or offer guidance based on emotional and relational dynamics. It cannot recommend the right type of trust for your child who struggles with spending or advise on how to avoid future family conflict.
At Entrusted Legacy Law, we take the time to understand your situation and provide solutions that make sense for your family. Our process is collaborative, heart-centered, and designed to help you make confident decisions.
Pennsylvania Laws Require State-Specific Knowledge
Estate planning laws are different in every state. What works in California or Florida may not apply in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, many online legal tools do not account for these differences.
For example, Pennsylvania has specific requirements for a will to be legally valid. If those requirements are not followed, your will may be contested or disregarded. In addition, the probate process in Pennsylvania involves its own unique procedures, timelines, and fees.
Using an AI-generated template increases the risk of creating a plan that does not meet Pennsylvania’s legal standards. A law firm that focuses on Pennsylvania estate planning knows how to draft documents that comply with current law and protect against future challenges.
Entrusted Legacy Law serves families throughout Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, and beyond.
Our attorneys are licensed in Pennsylvania and fully familiar with state probate rules, inheritance taxes, and court procedures.
Long-Term Care Planning Cannot Be Handled by a Bot
The cost of long-term care continues to rise. Many families find themselves facing nursing home bills of over one hundred thousand dollars per year. In these cases, Medicaid planning becomes critical.
Qualifying for Medicaid requires more than just reducing your assets. It involves following specific rules regarding income, asset transfers, and trust creation. Mistakes in Medicaid planning can trigger penalties or lead to a denial of benefits.
Artificial intelligence cannot assess your eligibility, suggest legal strategies, or help you structure your assets in a way that protects your life savings. It also cannot provide spousal protection strategies or analyze how your home and retirement accounts are treated under the law. Our firm provides detailed Medicaid planning services to help both individuals and couples qualify for care while preserving as much of their estate as legally possible. This type of planning requires careful timing and legal precision, both of which cannot be replicated by AI.
Special Needs Planning Must Be Done Correctly
Families with a child or loved one who has a disability must be especially cautious in their estate planning. Leaving money outright to someone who receives government benefits can unintentionally disqualify them from those supports.
A properly drafted special needs trust allows you to provide financial help without disrupting access to benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. These trusts must follow very specific legal guidelines.
AI tools do not consistently create compliant special needs trusts. Even small errors in trust language can result in the trust being considered a countable asset, which can cause a loss of critical benefits.
Entrusted Legacy Law helps families create special needs trusts that are legally sound and aligned with their long-term caregiving goals. We ensure the trust includes the correct provisions and is customized to the needs of your loved one.
Probate Avoidance Requires Strategic Planning
Many families want to avoid probate because it can be expensive, time-consuming, and public. This is especially true when a person owns property in more than one state.
AI cannot guide you through complex multi-state planning or suggest which assets should be placed in a trust to bypass probate entirely. It cannot help you understand how to title your accounts properly or whether to update your beneficiary designations to avoid unintended outcomes.
At Entrusted Legacy Law, we design estate plans that reduce or eliminate the need for probate. We also help families with property in multiple states coordinate their planning so loved ones are not burdened with navigating different court systems after a loss.
Avoiding probate is not just about convenience. It is about creating a smoother transition for your family and reducing emotional stress during a difficult time.
AI Does Not Review Your Assets or Beneficiaries
One of the most common reasons estate plans fail is because financial accounts, real estate, and insurance policies are not aligned with the legal documents.
AI-generated documents do not review how your bank accounts are titled or who is listed as a beneficiary on your retirement plan. This can lead to assets going to unintended individuals or being subject to probate even when a trust was created.
Our attorneys work closely with clients to make sure all assets are reviewed and correctly titled. This process is called asset alignment, and it is a critical step in ensuring your estate plan works as intended.
We coordinate legal documents with financial accounts, beneficiary designations, and real property to create a cohesive plan that protects your family’s future.
Your Plan Needs Updates Over Time
Life is always changing. A marriage, divorce, new child, health diagnosis, or even a move to a new state can affect your estate plan. Laws also change, and your plan needs to be reviewed to stay effective.
Artificial intelligence does not check in with you when life changes. It does not follow up to make sure your documents are still valid or recommend updates based on new legislation.
Working with a law firm gives you an ongoing relationship with professionals who care about your family’s future. At Entrusted Legacy Law, we encourage regular plan reviews and provide support to make sure your plan evolves with you.
Your Legacy Deserves Thoughtful Planning
Estate planning is about more than passing on money. It is about ensuring your values live on, your loved ones are protected, and your wishes are honored.
Online tools and artificial intelligence cannot provide the human insight, legal knowledge, or emotional understanding required to build a meaningful plan. Templates and generic forms may feel like progress, but they often leave gaps that only become visible when it is too late.
Working with a firm like Entrusted Legacy Law gives you the peace of mind that your plan is legally sound, thoughtfully crafted, and aligned with your goals.
Schedule a Conversation With Our Team
If you are ready to start your estate plan or want to review an existing one, we welcome the opportunity to support you.
Our team offers compassionate, knowledgeable guidance to help you protect what matters most. You can schedule a time to speak with us here:
