My wife and I need to set up wills, guardianship for our children if we die, etc... Lawyers will do this for us for $650.00! Right now that is just too much money for us. Are cheap forms that are found online can actually be legally binding? If so, I would like to fill them out just for now. (Later on, when we have money I would like the go thru the lawyer just to be on the safe side)
2006-08-23 12:49:51 · 4 answers · asked by The Sheep Dog 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You can also purchase the Willmaker kit at walmart. These forms and the ones that find online are legal. Just be sure to get them properly notarized. Then later, have your lawyer review them or if you feel more comfortable have him draw up a new will.'
2006-08-23 12:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by Bluealt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be super careful! There's a reason that this is an entire course in law school! The state laws can vary widely, and things you think are innocent and obvious changes to the form can make the whole thing declared null under certain state laws. Things you don't change or understand can lead to a result you wouldn't anticipate.
You can also botch it (with online forms) so badly that your entire estate will be eaten up with attorney fees from will contests after you die.
That said, something is better than nothing. Just get a real lawyer to draw one up and counsel you on the pitfalls as soon as you can. If you have kids, this is especially important.
Whatever else you do, make no handwritten notations on the will, and get two witnesses (who aren't beneficiaries) to witness your signatures. Do not think that getting it notarized means anything. It does not. You need separate wills also. Do not do a community will.
2006-08-23 13:01:22 · answer #2 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can find it, and other types of legal forms at Office Depot.
Just make sure you sign and get it noterized. A lawyer is not going to tell you, "go to office depot".
2006-08-23 13:08:30 · answer #3 · answered by weedeater 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
its better than leaving it to the state
2006-08-23 12:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by mike L 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋