Do-it-yourself Wills: a sad story of planning gone wrong. Here is a case study by Janet L. Brewer, detailing some of the bad things that can happen when you make your own Will. Read about John, widow and father, faced with unexpected expenses and lack of privacy when his wife, Mary, died with an online Will she made herself.
Wills often do not do what many people think they do. Consult with a lawyer 
about your Will and estate planning. Investing now in a good plan can save your loved ones significant money and a lot of heartache and hassle when you’re gone.
Helene P.Dreyer Koch is an estate planning attorney in Indian Wells, California, focusing on Wills, Trusts and Probate. She is also a skilled legal writer and dynamic public speaker. (760) 360-2400.
Blog - Estate Planning & Probate 411 
I meet with people daily who are having probate and will issues. Not everyone realizes how important and detailed the laws are, such as the family in the article you shared. While I feel sympathy for everyone who has to deal with it, I think it serves as a resource to people so they can learn how NOT to do it.