How much did you pay for your will?

[ReneeQ]

I'm stealing LisaM's idea from her "how much do you pay your accountant" thread. DH and I need a will. It's not complicated. We have no kids, want to leave everything to each other, and name someone else, in the event we die together. Also would like the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and a regular Power of Attorney.

Talked to an attorney today, recommended to me by our financial advisor. He said he charges $300 per person, or $500 for a couple, and that we don't need the Power of Attorney. I thought that was high.

Any opinions?

 

[gris gris]

We paid $400 for ours, it's pretty much like what you described below except we have kids and a dog (who will go to my lucky inlaws!! LOL).

 

[firsttimer2007]

That is high! You can download the forms for free. Fill them out (do not sign them). Take them (and as many copies as you need) to your local credit union/bank to have them notarized.

If you want to make them really, really legal you can file them with the court for a nominal fee.

Most everyone will take them if you have them notarized though. Also for you financial stuff (Bank Accts, Life Insurance, Insurance, 401k/403b's ect...)you can list who you want to get your stuff.

Your employer may have someone who will help you for free too.

Good Luck!

 

[ceecee]

We paid $400.00 (DH got a courtesy discount!) for our trust. I didn't realize how expensive that service was.

 

[moppety]

We did ours on LegalZoom.com, I think it cost us $60. I would definitely recommend them. Easy to use, you can ask for help, and we got the will fast

 

[Banana magic]

I've been thinking about this too. DH and I have to make some changes to our will. The last time we had it done with an attorney I think it cost about $600 for both of us. I was looking at some software I saw at Costco - Quicken Will maker. It cost $50. We do have kids, but it worked in any state and was okay for people with children. Has anyone used this?

 

[Floridagal23]

I am graduating from law school in May with a specialization in estate planning and it is highly recommended you have all ancillary documents prepared (like a power of attorney for financial, health, etc and a living will). If you decide to go the "do it yourself" route, definitely make sure that it is executed with the formalities that your state requires (some states require 2 signatures, some 1, some have self attesting signature affidavits, some don't..)

 

[summerrluvv]

Our office charges $550 for all of that for 2 people.

 

[bdcp]

Our wills are part of our trusts. The trust cost the two of us $1100 a few years ago. Before that we did our wills ourselves.

 

[Tink-aholic]

We set up a Trust, HPOA, pour-over will, and regular will for $850. We have my son from a previous relationship and my brother that we raise, plus a bit of money to manage for them until they are older. It was complicated, but that price is a one-time price and any additional changes are made for free for the rest of our lives (or as long as the attorney lives, I guess!). We got paper copies and digital copies on discs.

The peace of mind is priceless. So is life insurance.

 

[jcc0621]

Do you either of you belong to a union? DH and I both do and we can get all of these things for no cost as part of our union benefits.

 

[reddixie]

That is high! You can download the forms for free. Fill them out (do not sign them). Take them (and as many copies as you need) to your local credit union/bank to have them notarized.

If you want to make them really, really legal you can file them with the court for a nominal fee.

Most everyone will take them if you have them notarized though. Also for you financial stuff (Bank Accts, Life Insurance, Insurance, 401k/403b's ect...)you can list who you want to get your stuff.

Your employer may have someone who will help you for free too.

Good Luck!

Be very careful about do it yourself wills, Florida doesn't acknowledge those wills and so if you die you basically die intestate. Other states may have the same laws so I would check first. I would recommend you shop around your area and try to find an attorney that specializes in wills. Good Luck

 

[Toby'sFriend]

something simple like that there is nothing wrong with one of the standard forms available at several sites

us legal forms
legal zoom

whatever.

They all have State specific wills -- including Florida.

You need to pay close attention to the state requirements. For instance in our state the Wills must be witnessed by 2 persons who are not named in the will and also usually notarized.

 

[Chris]

Yikes! Glad I have lawyers in the family by these prices!
dh and I did our will a few years back and also have a living will. It cost us nothing.

 

[iluvdisney]

As much as I know everyone needs to have a will - whichever way they choose to do them - isn't it more important to have a trust so your estate doesn't go to probate? I'm working on trying to understand all this.

 

[Lorikr65]

Do you either of you belong to a union? DH and I both do and we can get all of these things for no cost as part of our union benefits.

What kind of union? My husband is in a union (police officer). I have been thinking about getting a will but have been putting it off because of the cost.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

As much as I know everyone needs to have a will - whichever way they choose to do them - isn't it more important to have a trust so your estate doesn't go to probate? I'm working on trying to understand all this.

I believe you are probably talking about a Living Trust and you are right. For many people, they are very powerful Estate Planning vehicles.

 

[Floridagal23]

Probate is not a "bad" thing..it just depends on your circumstances. Having a trust doesn't mean things go any more quickly in some cases. It may not be cost effective for you to have a trust, etc. for your needs. It might be good to schedule a meeting with an atty to discuss everything. It will probably factor into an hourly rate (price) for the meeting but maybe you'd be able to apply that toward your package, depending. I am joining a practice that does not do packaged e/p documents because of the tax planning involved, but I know that we always start every client out with a looong meeting to discuss their needs/objectives - which should be the same at any firm you go to, even if your needs are less complex. HTH

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with some PP, I bought a blank will on-line from an on-line service for about $40. There is no requirement to have a lawyer set things up for you. Unless you have a lot of money and a lot of relatives to spread them around to, it is a fairly straightforward thing to do yourself. In NY you need two witnesses and a notary to watch you sign it, and it is then a legal will. The website I went to www.findlegalforms.com.

Everyone should do this at a minimum, especially if you have kids. Don't put it off, why do you want to leave a nightmare for your family if something (god forbid) were to happen to you and/or your spouse.

SkierPete

 

[jcc0621]

What kind of union? My husband is in a union (police officer). I have been thinking about getting a will but have been putting it off because of the cost.

DH is a teacher and I am a Probation Officer. I would just call the union and see if it is part of your union benefits!