Estate planning-each person does their own will or do one together?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

I agree, but I'm not afraid of death and I'm a lawyer so if I were intimidated by legal documents and proceses, or if I were sick, I might feel differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

I'll tell you why, it's because it's $$. If it were a cheaper, easier process (even like filing your taxes), everyone would have one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve decided that DH really need to get wills written. Is it better for us each to have our own, or do married couples have joint wills? Part of why I ask is, I’ve been saying this to DH for years, but for whatever reason is dragging his feet. So I thought I’d just do one on my own. That way at least if we both die, our kids will be protected, right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
TIA

Separate wills and separate Revocable Trusts. Coordinated. In my Trust, DW is the Trustee after me, I'm the Trustee in her Trust after me, etc. Same with the Will. This way, we can do what we want without conflicting with the wishes of the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

I'll tell you why, it's because it's $$. If it were a cheaper, easier process (even like filing your taxes), everyone would have one.

No, it's not. Sign up for a legal plan at work (or by yourself), find a network attorney and get it done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

I'll tell you why, it's because it's $$. If it were a cheaper, easier process (even like filing your taxes), everyone would have one.

NP and I can tell you that for the vast majority of cases using one of the off the shelf products will be sufficient (i.e. Nolo Willmaker). If you have enough assets that your situation is complicated enough to need an attorney then you've got enough money that you're just being cheap not getting it done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

I'll tell you why, it's because it's $$. If it were a cheaper, easier process (even like filing your taxes), everyone would have one.

NP and I can tell you that for the vast majority of cases using one of the off the shelf products will be sufficient (i.e. Nolo Willmaker). If you have enough assets that your situation is complicated enough to need an attorney then you've got enough money that you're just being cheap not getting it done.

Seriously, any off the shelf will and POA etc maker (NOLO, Legal Zoom etc) is way better than nothing. It will cost you less than $500 and take under 2 hours. If my partner was dragging their feet, I would make one for them and get them to sign it.