last will .........on the cheap??

**sweeps** · 02-15-2006, 01:09 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Suze Orman offers a will and trust kit for $13.50. It includes a living will, a health care power of attorney, and some other legal documents. According to Bankrate, it's good for relatively simple situations. For complex situations, they recommend Kiplinger's WillPower which is $30.

I haven't tried either, so I wouldn't be able to recommend one over the other.

EDIT: If you decide to buy one of these packages, shop around. The WillPower product is less than $15 at several stores.

**kristinecfp** · 02-15-2006, 03:39 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

You might also try www.nolo.com and Quicken's Willmaker program. I think both are a bit more expensive than the other options suggested, but I believe the Nolo product is reviewed by attornies (after you complete your information) for errors, problems, etc. Worth checking out anyway...

**cercis** · 02-16-2006, 04:58 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Wills can be expensive. My firm is on the low side for fees, I've done one will where we only charged $150 but many of the ones I've done are $400+. However, probating a home done will often turns into an expensive nightmare. Each state has different requirements (for example, Texas requires 2 witness and a notary and the testator and witness sign in 2 places).

If you plan a simple will, borrow a copy of your mom's and look at the layout. Check to see what it seems to require and go from there. For witnesses, do not use a family member, you need people who will not benefit under the terms of the will.

If you really want to punish yourself, go online and check out your state statutes for probating a will. Check to see what they require and write your will accordingly.

Of course

I recommend an attorney. I need people to provide fees so I can get paid.

**contrary1** · 02-16-2006, 05:37 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

thanks for the ideas..............I've checked out a couple on line resources already. I had totally spaced about the witnesses. Will line some up.

My mom's is a living trust, so it is a bit different than a simple will.....I will check the requirements for WA state next.

Not willing to support another attorney.....I paid for years to finish up a horrible divorce. I figure my attorneys' kids have great teeth, have graduated from terrific private schools and are all driving nice cars..........with my help of course!

Didn't want to do the attorney route until last resort.

**Bluezy** · 02-17-2006, 12:05 AM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Cheap is not the best. All of our will contests and trust litigations that we have now are because of poorly written wills and revocable trusts done on home computers. Fortunately, no children were involved so we did not have to suffer through guardianship issues.

The costs to these families is skyrocketing (not so much in attorney fees but court costs and IRS penalties) all because someone did not take the time to add the proper clauses in their wills to protect their families accordingly to their circumstances.

Good luck to you for your future estate preparation!

**VJW** · 02-17-2006, 09:48 AM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Originally posted by contrary1

Anyone have a website, or a book, or anything they would reccomend to start me on the road to getting a legal will drawn up? I've only come up with websites that charge.........and up pops my cheap gene...... I want to try this on my own first!

All help & ideas are appreciated!

Are you single or married, are there any minor children, and in what state do you reside ?

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**contrary1** · 02-17-2006, 09:55 AM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Single, no minor kids & live in WA state. I'm planning on excluding the only child I've had . His life is so messed up, there is no way he is getting any of my hard work. He is currently in prison for financial fraud among other things. My parents & myself have all been victims of some of his escapades & we're not feeling extremely kind towards him just yet.

I do plan to leave instructions with the executor as to how to give something to my son, if things have changed radically. I'm not optomistic re; this however. I truely expect to outlive my son.

**VJW** · 02-17-2006, 02:51 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Check your PM.

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**CJsoccerchic** · 02-23-2006, 07:00 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Ahhhh.. wills are so hard to do. I tired to get my mom to do one and we went to a law firm for a free consultation - they wanted on the cheap SIDE - a MEASLY $700 - I managed to keep a straight face throughout the whole ordeal, but when my mom and I waled away - she said NO WAY. But since then, we have made sure that all her bank accounts and whatnots are in my and mysisters name - so I think that in the event something was to happen to my mother, all she really has is cash in her name and she has my sister and I so we get everything 50/50 does anyone have anything to say to this.. maybe I might have missed soemthing... I would love anyone's opinions...

**cercis** · 02-23-2006, 07:48 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

CJ - here's one big thing, if she owes money, the creditors can force probate. Probate is more expensive and time consuming if there is no will. If there is a will, the executor/trix files the will and starts the probate. The creditors can make claims, but if there are no assets (the bank accounts, cars, household furnishings, etc).

I think the quote you got was way too high unless your mom was wanting to have trusts, etc. One thing to try is to go to a probate attorney rather than an estate planning attorney. The probate attorneys tend to favor nice simple wills and don't tend to charge a lot. Another trick is to go to a small town and work with the attorney there. Attorneys in cities often have enough business that they can charge more and not worry having enough money to keep the doors open.

Join Date: Oct 2026 · 02-24-2006, 10:14 AM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

Probate sucks.

**CJsoccerchic** · 02-24-2006, 02:01 PM

Re: last will .........on the cheap??

truth be told, she has really nothing toher name except the bank accounts, she is korean by being born there and became US citizen by marriege to my dad. They are split and now she lives in Korea - she has personal items, but nothing of serious value - just bank accounts that she lives off. I think that she'll be fine without the will since everyone of here bank accounts are in my and my sisters name

last will .........on the cheap??