Re: about getting wills done????

OooLaLa · ‎03-23-2014

Spending a little more for a face-to-face attorney knowledgeable and experienced in wills and estates in your state of residence could save a whole lot more time, trouble and expense later. It's so beneficial to have an attorney you have a professional relationship with and with whom you can sit down and talk, much like your doctor.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

After my husband was diagnosed with cognitive impairment, we sought out a lawyer who specialized in wills for seniors. Our accountant recommended a young woman who’s terrific. We redid our wills and advanced directives, living wills. She knew all the rules and regulations in our state and took care of all the bureaucracy. We are totally pleased with her.

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

I would not do online wills. Definitly go to a lawyer.

beckyb1012 · ‎03-09-2010

I am a Paralegal, please go to an attorney for preparation of your Last Will & Testament and any other Estate planning needs you may have. Such as Directives to Physicians, Medical Power of Attorney, and a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney. Our children are worth the expense and time we have to spend to put our affairs in order to make their lives easier when the world just feel apart for them by someone's passing.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

I would seriously recommend having an attorney do any paperwork like Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, etc.

I work for a law firm and we handle a lot of probate and estate planning. I cannot tell you the number of times that someone brings in a Will for us to probate, that the decedent did on his/her own, and there is something wrong. The problem ends up being more costly for us to fix then if the person had just paid to have the Will done by an attorney in the first place, or the problem isn't fixable and assets aren't disbursed the way the decedent wanted.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@VaBelle35 wrote:
For my situation, I have no children and am not married, no pets.

I own a home. In Virginia (and this may be true in other states as well), you can change the deed on your home to a "transfer deed." This means that when you die, the deed immediately transfers to whoever you name. I named my brother and sister equally. So when I pass, they are responsible for the mortgage, taxes, upkeep, etc. and they can keep it, sell it or move into it. So this is separate from the will.

The lawyer I used drew up the transfer deed document and filed it. It was part of my fee for my estate documents and the filing fee was $27.

I would not have know about this had I not met with the lawyer. I'm not sure Legal Zoom would give you that option.

My 401k, live insurance and all other investment accounts have beneficiaries or transfers of death.

Basically my will covers my car and any personal belongings in the house and whatever is in my checking account.

I hope you and everyone else check with the people who are in your will and are responsible for anything to see if they want the job. It is important not to just saddle people with duties that often are very time consuming and hard to deal with.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

A common misconception is that if you don't have a Will, your assets go to the state. Laws vary from state to state but in Ohio, that is not true. If you have no Will, it goes to your next of kin.....surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents. There is a specific law that dictates in what order your next of kin inherit. This goes all the way to cousins. So while some say they have no heirs, they may not be married or have children but if they have siblings or their parents or grandparents are living it could go to them or aunts and uncles then cousins. It goes to someone.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I don't care if you are very young. PLEASE have a will and health instructions and other papers you might need.

DON'T PUT THIS OFF! You never know when someone will become ill, die suddenly, be involved in an accident, or one of many other things that can happen.

It is important to have your affairs settled. No matter who you are, in today's world this is necessary for all of us.

And as I said before, if you are going to name people to be responsible for something, please make sure it is ok with them before you make it official.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
A common misconception is that if you don't have a Will, your assets go to the state. Laws vary from state to state but in Ohio, that is not true. If you have no Will, it goes to your next of kin.....surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents. There is a specific law that dictates in what order your next of kin inherit. This goes all the way to cousins. So while some say they have no heirs, they may not be married or have children but if they have siblings or their parents or grandparents are living it could go to them or aunts and uncles then cousins. It goes to someone.

And often when you don't have a will it goes to a lawyer who deals with it and the state in large part. Then some relatives get what's left over.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

I would never complete legal documents online.I don’t care what Suzie Orman says. DH & I have a good lawyer who handles all such matters for us.It’s worth the money.