Wills

[cKy]

Hey CP,

Long story short, my mother needs to create a will for herself and my father. My mom said she is going to go to Staples and pick up one of those 'Make you own Will kits', and frankly I am skeptical of the $20 packages.

Anyone with experience with these Wills? Am I right to think she should avoid it and go with the lawyer route? How much does a typical Will cost to create?

Thanks,

[undercoverbrother]

There are lawyers on here that can help.

My view as a legal layman, is that you get what you pay for when it comes to legal help..............

[pseudoreality]

Its an interesting question. I'm wondering about wills too. I have a wife and a baby. Can I just assume everything will go to her?

[Canehdianman]

I've drafted dozens (probably close to one hundred now) wills.

Trust me, it is worth the couple hundred dollars to have a lawyer draft your will for you. Not only will the document actually say what you want it to say, but the lawyer will provide feedback that you likely haven't thought. I don't think a single will has remained the same after I started asking questions about what their specific plans were.

I'm not in private practice anymore, so I can't do them, but Troutman can. I hear he's good too

[GGG]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

Its an interesting question. I'm wondering about wills too. I have a wife and a baby. Can I just assume everything will go to her?

The big issue there is if you both die where does the baby go. That is why we got a will. I dont want family fighting over my kids and it dragging out over where they live as they will have already lost enough if that happens.

[MoneyGuy]

I highly doubt you can get a will for a couple hundred dollars. It needs to include a power of attorney and health-care directive. Get them to use a lawyer. This is important and not for amateurs.

[troutman]

Husband/wife wills are typically offered at a package price of $400 (more downtown). People should also do the Power of Attorney and Personal Directive - a package with all three documents for a husband/wife runs around $800 to $900.

As for will kits, lawyers make more $ from estates with improperly drafted wills.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

Its an interesting question. I'm wondering about wills too. I have a wife and a baby. Can I just assume everything will go to her?

If the mods don't mind, I wrote a blog about that:

http://nwcalgarylaw.com/happens-estate-will/

[cKy]

Troutman, you look nothing like Cash. I always read your posts in the voice of Johnny Cash, now that may be tainted. Thanks for the link, I'll show it to my mom and persuade her to use a lawyer.

How stressful/long is the process? Is this like a sit down with you for an hour kinda thing? or a drawn out process?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by cKy

Troutman, you look nothing like Cash. I always read your posts in the voice of Johnny Cash, now that may be tainted. Thanks for the link, I'll show it to my mom and persuade her to use a lawyer.

How stressful/long is the process? Is this like a sit down with you for an hour kinda thing? or a drawn out process?

How we do it - I meet with clients for about 30 minutes to get instructions. Then I draft the documents and e-mail to them a few days later. The clients can usually sign within 1-2 weeks.