Last Will and Advance Directive (free, legal, money, family)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Not sure this is the correct forum to ask so feel free to move.
Has anyone used legalzoom.com to set up your paperwork? Did they do a good job? Do you find them to be less expensive or more compared to going to a local attorney? Thank you
Not sure this is the correct forum to ask so feel free to move.
Has anyone used legalzoom.com to set up your paperwork? Did they do a good job? Do you find them to be less expensive or more compared to going to a local attorney? Thank you
There is a Personal Finance forum.
I once used them to set up a will for me. I found the site very user friendly. There's an option to have an attorney from your state review the document. I used that and the attorney found a flaw. I didn't have a plan B or C. To elaborate, I'd left everything to a relative. He pointed out that if that relative predeceased me--or we died at the same time--that there would be a huge problem. You're given a certain number of days to edit, which I did, before I ordered the document. The price was decent, cheaper than hiring a lawyer.
It was printed on lovely paper and came with a very nice folder--whatever that's worth. You'll have to have it notarized and signed by two witnesses. I think that was the hardest part.
I felt very comfortable with that will until I eventually found a good attorney to make up a more elaborate document for me.
So far their prices are higher than the attorneys I called. I thought it would be less expensive and why I considered using them.
I'm surprised. Either the attorneys in the area where I lived at the time were charging far too much, or legalzoom prices have gone up. It was the less expensive, more convenient option for me at the time.
Speaking only for myself - I do not care. When I am dead, I'm dead. I won't be around to worry about it. I told my brother who lives over 1K miles from me about 5 years ago - no funeral.
I only have a few friends and very little family. What family I do have (2 cousins, 1 brother) there is very little contact. That is not my choice either.
As far as I'm concerned there is no need to get any attorney involved when I die. The State or whoever can have what little I own.
I'm surprised. Either the attorneys in the area where I lived at the time were charging far too much, or legalzoom prices have gone up. It was the less expensive, more convenient option for me at the time.
I know, it was surprising to me also. For example: local attorney $350 for all 4 documents. Legal Zoom said two of the forms are over $200 each, then $39 for another and $69 plus it's extra if you need to speak to an attorney with them. I do need to because I have very specific things needed. I guess I'll keep shopping around local. Thank you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John13
Speaking only for myself - I do not care. When I am dead, I'm dead. I won't be around to worry about it. I told my brother who lives over 1K miles from me about 5 years ago - no funeral.
I only have a few friends and very little family. What family I do have (2 cousins, 1 brother) there is very little contact. That is not my choice either.
As far as I'm concerned there is no need to get any attorney involved when I die. The State or whoever can have what little I own.
Well if I didn't own anything, have money in the bank or care about the hospital making decisions on behalf - I would think this way also. If there are any people in your life you care about and you own anything, its not fair to them to leave these questions unanswered. Also, I want to decide if on life support or not, I want to decide what happens to my body, not anyone else. There are a few sentimental items I'd like my niece to have and unless it's on a legal document, there is no way to ensure this will happen.
I have seen so many wills fail because people went to legal websites or Staples and bought these do-it-yourself kits. Wills must be executed in a certain formaility and must have certain provisions to be valid. Combine all these problems with had written provisions in your Will and your Will be subject to challenge, or even if unchallenged, will not be approved for probate. Do yourself a favor and see an attorney who has knowledge in this area of the law. Wills are more complicated that filling in blanks on a form.
I know, it was surprising to me also. For example: local attorney $350 for all 4 documents. Legal Zoom said two of the forms are over $200 each, then $39 for another and $69 plus it's extra if you need to speak to an attorney with them. I do need to because I have very specific things needed. I guess I'll keep shopping around local. Thank you.
Well, that's more than I paid. My basic will was $50. I didn't pay for a second paper copy, but I did pay for the attorney review. By the time I got a response to that request (my fault, not theirs) I needed more than the standard 30 days in which to make changes and I decided to pay $15 for another 30 days. Even with the additional fees, I didn't pay more than $100.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
