My husband and I have yet to make out a will and it's something we really need to do as it is long overdue. Does anyone know of a good software program or online service we can use to fill out information and then print and have it notorized?
Thank you all for your advice, based on most of your responses, I'll be looking for a reputable, but low cost attorney that can help us draw up our will. Thanks again.
You will definitely be better served getting and attorney to handle this verses a good software program. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding estates and wills.
I had some discounted legal service that you pay about $50.00 for and they give you discounted legal services and free legal advice. I forget what it was called but may be worth taking a look into.
I actually had mine done by an attorney.
My go to response is always use an attorney. A will is only as good as the words on it. Sure it will be fine if no one contests it but isn't that the point? so your words will stand up if someone contests it?
Check out legalzoom.com.
Don't do this extremely important document online. Usually a financial planner can connect you with a lawyer who won't charge you an arm and a leg to create a will and living trust. You want a trust so that your minor children are taken care of if something happens to both you and your husband.
Online documents usually don't stand up in court.
Also, did you know that if you don't have appointed guardians for your children and something happens to both you and your husband, the children become wards of the state? This happens even if both of you have parents, siblings, etc to take care of them. This is a fact, and not my opinion.
Going through the process of creating a will/living trust is hard. But the peace of mind you will have afterwards is priceless.
My husband and I just started this process. We are actually using an attorney which I am so grateful for because of all I have learned. we had our child listed as the beneficiary but the lawyer mentioned we shouldn't actually do that because she was a minor. So now, we are doing the trust component to add into the will. I know lots of people use legalzoom.com we had just never done anything like this and we found having someone who knows the process inside and out was what we needed to be better prepared.
My husband and I just went through this. Go to a lawyer. It was expensive, but there are some really complex things and you seriously do not want to make mistakes. Guardians for your kids, for example. Also complex tax issues. We actually saved up the money so that we could do it. It was about $1000 and we ended up with a trust, a will and an advanced health directive, including basic power of attorney for each of us if it is ever needs, so it was totally worth it. I sleep so much better now that all of this is taken care of. We found our lawyer through our church and he was really great.
I actually asked here about using legal zoom for a trust and got the advise I just gave and I am glad I listened to it.
This isn't the occasion to save money on a do-it-yourself project. Please do it through a reputable lawyer. It's worth the cost to get a legal document that won't slap you (or your heirs) in the face later on.
If you don't want to go to an Estate attorney which will cost about $1000 then go to legalzoom.com for the documents. Personally depending on your estate and life ins and assets the $1000 was worth it for us.
I'm so glad that you asked this. I was just thinking about wills last night. We need to do it too.
