AI for estate planning: practical uses and limits

What can AI realistically do in estate planning?

General AI assistants such as Claude or ChatGPT are useful for first-pass work that a lawyer then checks. They are not a substitute for judgement or for reading the source documents. These are the tasks that tend to hold up in estate planning.

What should you feed it from MatterOS?

An assistant is only as good as the record it is given. A structured matter page gives it the facts, dates, parties and open tasks in a consistent shape, so you are not pasting a messy email thread each time. From a MatterOS matter you would typically copy across:

• Client and family relationships, as far as the task requires.
• The asset and liability schedule you have verified with the client.
• Decisions the client has made, for example guardians and executors, recorded as notes.
• Open actions such as signing, registration of documents and review dates.

MatterOS is a Notion template, so this is a copy-and-paste or export step you control, not an automatic feed. Decide what leaves your workspace each time, and strip anything the task does not need.

• What MatterOS is
• The Matter Method behind the records
• MatterOS set up for estate planning

Where does AI go wrong in estate planning?

• Formalities for valid wills and trusts differ by place. Do not let a model set execution requirements.
• Tax consequences depend on jurisdiction and change; verify them against current sources.
• Assessing capacity and undue influence is your professional judgement, not something to delegate.
• Drafts may include plausible clauses that do not fit your client's wishes or local law.

AI output can read fluently and still be wrong. Treat every citation, date, figure and quoted passage as unverified until you have checked it against the primary source yourself.

A simple workflow to start with

1. 1

   Record the instructions

   Capture family, assets and wishes in the matter page.

2. 2

   Create a schedule

   Ask the assistant to tabulate assets and beneficiaries for you to check.

3. 3

   Draft the explainer

   Have it propose a plain-language summary and edit it yourself.

4. 4

   Set review dates

   Log a review action so the plan is revisited.

• Structure first, then AI
• Security and where your data lives

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ChatGPT or Claude for estate planning?

Many lawyers do, for drafting first versions, summaries and checklists. You remain responsible for the result, so check the tool's terms on confidentiality and data use before putting any client information into it, and verify everything it produces.

Does MatterOS include AI?

MatterOS includes an AI prompt pack that works with Notion AI, Claude, ChatGPT or another assistant. The template itself is a set of Notion databases; the assistant is whichever one you choose and are permitted to use.

Is there professional guidance on lawyers using generative AI?

Yes. The American Bar Association issued Formal Opinion 512 on generative AI in July 2024, and many other bars have published their own guidance. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so check the rules and guidance that apply to you.

Can AI draft a will?

It can produce text that looks like a will, but validity depends on local law and the client's circumstances. A lawyer should draft or fully review dispositive documents.