Anonymous wrote:My employer has a legal plan through work for which I pay like $10/pay period (I think). Apparently, I can use that network to create these documents at no extra cost.

Are these good deals? Are the lawyers that are part of the network good? Will I get the same, thoughtful service that I would get as a retail customer?

I used Metlaw which I think is related to Hyatt Legal plans for my will and trust. The plan covers the will, medical POA, etc. but did not cover the conduit trust. I think I paid like $250 extra for that. Most of the lawyers in the network were not very good. I'm a lawyer in a different practice so I know what to look for and I think the person I went with did a good job. In terms of service, I think the plan includes a one hour consultation followed by draft documents that you review and make any edits too (names spelled correctly, etc.) and a signing session where all of the documents are signed and notarized with appropriate witnesses.

My employer has a legal plan through work for which I pay like $10/pay period (I think). Apparently, I can use that network to create these documents at no extra cost.

Are these good deals? Are the lawyers that are part of the network good? Will I get the same, thoughtful service that I would get as a retail customer?

Anonymous wrote:I'd be curious to know why people shouldn't go online. Especially if the assets only consist of a home, a car or two, and cash and investment accounts that can all have direct beneficiaries listed.

Totally agree, we had a very basic will with wanting to leave everything, house, two cars, investment accounts, Jewellery to our kid at 25 and named a couple of family members if we died. Easy peasy. Paid $80 or so for the software and spent half a day, done.

Anonymous wrote:I'd be curious to know why people shouldn't go online. Especially if the assets only consist of a home, a car or two, and cash and investment accounts that can all have direct beneficiaries listed.

Here's an example. Let's say you have children. What happens to those assets? Do they get them right away? At 18? At 25? A lot of peopel dont' want to give a huge sum directly to an 18 year old as they tend to squander it. You'll likely need to have a provision in your will for setting up a trust with details like it can be used fro college expenses, etc.

I'd be curious to know why people shouldn't go online. Especially if the assets only consist of a home, a car or two, and cash and investment accounts that can all have direct beneficiaries listed.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please don't do this online. There are all kinds of traps for the unwary and they wouldn't become obvious until it was too late.

Also, I'm a lawyer who does this kind of work. It's difficult to quote a price because we'd have to figure out what you need first. Most clients think they have a "very very basic" situation but for various reasons often have more complex needs.

That said, I'd budget a couple thousand dollars.

Meh. I'm in my 30s. Statistically the chance of both myself and my spouse dying anytime soon are low. So we'll have to update our will during the course of our lifetime. I'm not paying hundreds of dollars each time (let alone thousands). The online wills are fine for now.

Anonymous wrote:We got the whole package -- will, POA for finances, advance directives, custody (temp and full) for $2400.

We paid $850.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Willmaker plus (by quicken/Nolo) the best option for a really cheap option. A solo practitioner lawyer will probably run about $800-1200. You can pay more.

ISTR MD has some POA medical forms on a website that our lawyer said were pretty good.

Don’t go this route. Don’t be cheap about this. It’s worth it to do it right. In a rush but google it and you will know why.

I'm a lawyer and I would never suggest someone use Legalzoom, but the Willmaker wills are decent. I don't think you'd have any nightmare scenarios using one. That said, I think you can do better with a lawyer who might think to ask more "what if" questions and customize the will better but if it's between putting it off and using Willmaker you'd be much better off using Willmaker.

We got the whole package -- will, POA for finances, advance directives, custody (temp and full) for $2400.

Yes, please don't do this online. There are all kinds of traps for the unwary and they wouldn't become obvious until it was too late.

Also, I'm a lawyer who does this kind of work. It's difficult to quote a price because we'd have to figure out what you need first. Most clients think they have a "very very basic" situation but for various reasons often have more complex needs.

That said, I'd budget a couple thousand dollars.

I agree with PP. Also for something basic you could get those documents done for both of you for less than $500. Peace of mind, free.

Anonymous wrote:I think Willmaker plus (by quicken/Nolo) the best option for a really cheap option. A solo practitioner lawyer will probably run about $800-1200. You can pay more.

ISTR MD has some POA medical forms on a website that our lawyer said were pretty good.

Don’t go this route. Don’t be cheap about this. It’s worth it to do it right. In a rush but google it and you will know why.

I think Willmaker plus (by quicken/Nolo) the best option for a really cheap option. A solo practitioner lawyer will probably run about $800-1200. You can pay more.

ISTR MD has some POA medical forms on a website that our lawyer said were pretty good.

We did it on Rocket Lawyer for like 40$. Getting an actual lawyer will be pricier obviously.

For a couple. Very very basic will. Any ideas?