On Line Will Suggestions

[Cropduster172]

Have been through this twice. Once when we lived in Delaware, but there are significant differences between states with regard to probate, passing ownership of firearms...to name a random few.
We paid $800 for the revised will when we moved to Pennsylvania. I think we were overcharged by $200-$300. When we chose to do a minor revision, the attorney attempted to charge an additional $700.
I called her on it and asked her to explain in detail every line item on her invoice and billable hours. She said pay whatever I thought was fair. Paid her $450 and asked for the originals and copies of all documents they prepared for us.
It's not like doing your taxes with TurboTax. There's a bit more at stake.

 

[bimiko939]

Was researching basic estate planning options recently and had the exact same dilemma regarding online templates. LegalZoom is fine for super generic paperwork, but if you own a home, those automated DIY forms often leave loopholes that send your family straight to probate anyway.

I eventually stopped trying to shortcut it online and had Curlin & Clay Law draft everything properly. They walked us through the estate side, handled the wifey's paperwork at the same time, and made sure the house was protected without charging insane retainer fees.

If you just want it legally solid so your kids don't have a mess to clean up later, getting an actual estate attorney to set it up right the first time is worth every penny over a $100 online form.

 

[fdcg27]

Legal work is outside the scope of what most of us do on a daily basis.
If you have assets beyond four figures it is probably worth having someone with expertise advise you on a will versus a trust and then prepare the documents needed and the cost is fairly modest.
When we DIY home or car repairs and maintenance, we generally know what we don't know and few errors are catastrophic.
With a document intended to become effective upon our death, I think I prefer the assurance of one prepared by an actual attorney rather than one cribbed from a website that can claim any level of expertise while demonstrating none.
I won't be able to fix any errors or oversights after I'm dead and gone.

 

[wander2039]

We have a Metlife Legal plan through my work. We just did a basic will they offered.. guardians, end of life decision the basic stuff. Next year when it's not as in insanely busy dive further in. Also went through all our retirements and brokerage and made sure they had other points of contacts and benefactors setup correctly.