O/T total legal

anyone use total legal to draw up a will or a power of attorney. Need to do both for wife and myself and Know there are many firms to stay away from. Any ideas welcomed

AARP has a list of attorneys that will draw up wills without a humongous fee, unless it is a very complicated will.

Wills don't have to be complicated. A simple will can be drawn up on a cocktail napkin and signed by two witness who are NOT involved in any way with the possessions of the will and it will be legal. Now before everybody barks at me for that statement, as this site is known for, yes, I recommend a lawyer, but the lawyer doesn't have to be a high-priced one.

I prefer totally illegal, it tends to benefit me more.

To avoid probate, go for a trust. Don't need a will if you are married, she gets it if you die. Lawyers charge a pant load to handle a will and it can be tied up in probate court for a very long time. Was told that a will must be notorized to be valid.

I think JohnT said he used to handle things like this.

George

i'm told ohio won't recognize a handwritten will.....

I'm not familair with the company you mentioned, but "most" of the on line Will forms Ive seen are "probably" okay and legal for your state if state specific....However its more of a one size fits all despite the questions asked and not so bad for simple Wills buttttttttttt you dont get the opportunity to talk to a "real lawyer" and ask questions and explore options and be educated like if you visit a true knowledgeable professional. Its like the old saying "you get what you pay for" despite the untrained unprofessional know it all brother in law you might go to for advice.

I do work in small estate planning and wills, trust and probate etc., and enjoy it. Its NOT the high dollar fancy shcmancy work like big time city lawyers prefer to practice, but for a semi retired old fart its a nice little gig.

Try it, its most likely okay, heck you will be dead and wont know the outcome anyway right??

John T Country Lawyer Best wishes n God Bless

JohnT country lawer and good man,
I was told that in Indiana a will must be notorized to be legal.

A will can be contested and tied up in probate for years. So if you have kids you are not aware of, or a friend who is looking for a buck for work he may or may not have done, your kids will have a problem.

A trust makes sure things go where you want. No probate if estate is under $5M.

A trust is less expensive than probate. Like you said, who cares when you are dead. My problem is when I'm looking up from the grave an in-law will be driving my new car.

Do I have these facts correct? I currently am in the process of setting up a trust, so my kids will have fewer problems with all my properties.

George

"I was told that in Indiana a will must be notorized to be legal".

NOPE NO NOTARY REQUIREMENT it must be witnessed by two peroans competent over 18 who dont have an interest. I also add a self proving affidvait to all my Wills right on the testimonium page.


"A will can be contested and tied up in probate for years. So if you have kids you are not aware of, or a friend who is looking for a buck for work he may or may not have done, your kids will have a problem."

Yep, any will can be contested and thats expensive, but if its done correctly and the testator was competent the chances are slim the contest will survive.

"A trust makes sure things go where you want. No probate if estate is under $5M."

True but so can a Will. I sometimes do small estate plans that also avoid probate WITHOUT A TRUST at less cost then the trust requires

"A trust is less expensive than probate."

Maybe and maybe not, it all depends on the circumstances. Too many facttors to answer that here.

"Do I have these facts correct?"

Some you do.

"I currently am in the process of setting up a trust, so my kids will have fewer problems with all my properties."

If needed and if done right and managed over the years, it can indeed be a good estate planning tool but there are also other methods to accomplish the same IT ALL DEPENDS and that can only be answered after gathering all the facts and the clients needs and wishes

Take care George

John T

ALL attorney's will tell you to go see an Attorney. For obvious reasons.