Getting a will done

[Butcher]

Recently we have some family that have been given a short time to live with a fast spreading cancer. They don’t have a will or anything and its already causing family chaos. So naturally it made me realize I didn’t have one. I want to get my stuff in order for my family. Is the best route going to a attorney? Or has anyone used online services? If so which ones? Just want to get it done right and promptly. Thanks guys

 

[Dave N]

We used a lawyer. Not a lot to list so it wasn't very complicated. Easy peasy. Didn't cost a fortune and it was done right the first time. They also were great handling things when my wife passed away. Worth the money IMO.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Depends how complex it is. When I was single I wrote a short paragraph and had a notary record two signatures (varies by State - check). My wife and I have 3 adopted kids, one biological, and 2 are special needs. We paid $1100 for tome.

 

[Corn king 60]

Recently we have some family that have been given a short time to live with a fast spreading cancer. They don’t have a will or anything and its already causing family chaos. So naturally it made me realize I didn’t have one. I want to get my stuff in order for my family. Is the best route going to an attorney? Or has anyone used online services? If so which ones? Just want to get it done right and promptly. Thanks guys

My wife and I went to an attorney we had recommended to us and she was great at walking us through it all. Different laws in different states and the whole thing. We got wills and living wills and all the personal care home stuff explained to us. We also got power of attorney’s done for the both of us. All in it was 700$. Multiple copies for us and our son. We are only 66 years old and don’t plan on going anywhere for awhile but you never know. She also helped us with estate planning as we own a 132 acre farm in pa. And our death tax takes some expert advice.hope this helps and wish you all the best with your family.

 

[mevertsen]

We used a lawyer to handle an adoption and our will.

It was two meetings, a few phone calls, sogn here, sign here, explain this, explain that. Sign here, pay, done.

Will, power of attorney, advance directive. Should be able to be done as one package. A bit more for a full trust.

Make the appointment... First thing tomorrow.

 

[brymoore]

I went the attorney route. You eventually have to decide about whether you want a trust to avoid probate or set up your accounts to avoid probate. Your assets won’t cause a tax issue unless you have more than $13 million in assets.

My investment funds have beneficiary documentation in it to cover a transfer on death. I have a transfer on death paperwork with my deed to transfer it to my kids on death. There’s a few other things you need to do for vehicles and checking accounts to make sure that their transfer upon death. If you do these things, then you will avoid probate and associated fees.

A trust avoid probate for you too but you pay for the convenience of having the attorney do the work. I’m frugal.

 

[belshawelk]

Like Pf said. Depends on value and what your decisions. If you are sitting on some value in Estate look at a trust at the same time. Will for sure, Trust really helps.

 

[WNC2500]

@Butcher Agree with what everyone said. Get it done now. Wife and I did ours probably 13 years ago. One thing to note also is that depending on who you work for, they may cover estate planning or at least pay toward it or all of it. Our company had people that did it for us, and it was only like $400ish and covered will, power of attorney, and advanced directive.

 

[Bonasababy]

Id still use a lawyer but won't be long before AI can do a good job.

We had a basic will when a young family, before we retired we decided to upgrade to an estate plan as our desires were a bit complex and a will wasnt ideal anymore.

 

[schmalts]

I used legalzoom