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Jan 21, 2004 -- It's time to make a will

Clark talks often about the importance of creating a will for yourself. Many times, people put off doing wills because thinking and talking about death – especially your own – is not pleasant. Also, many people don’t want to spend money on an attorney. But you don’t necessarily need an attorney to do a will. There are several programs out there that allow you to do it yourself. Clark has spoken very highly in the past about “Will Maker,” a Quicken product sold by the folks at http://www.nolo.com. The complete title of this product is called “Will Maker Plus 2004,” and it’s very easy to use. But Clark often hears complaints from people in the legal profession who say these products aren’t as thorough as using an attorney. They have said Clark is not an attorney so he doesn’t know. So, Clark had to laugh when he read a story in the Wall Street Journal that compared various will making programs. The Journal bought four of these programs, prepared wills with each one and then took them to a legal professor for review. And the most complete of the four was “Will Maker!” It costs $50 or less and composes wills “just right,” according to the professor, who was from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. Now, if you have complicated circumstances such as blended families, you may want to see an attorney that deals with wills, estates and trusts. But if your situation is more simple, you can go to nolo.com and buy “Will Maker” to do the work for you. s program for not very much money. Another popular program is “Legal Zoom.” It is about twice the price of “Will Maker” and the professor didn’t like it at as much. But do something about getting a will done. The alternative is to give all of your money to the state and nothing to your children. That’s what happens if you don’t create a will. The state gets to divvy it up and your loved ones get nothing.

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What others are saying

  • Registering your will with Probate Court
    If doing your own will, it may be important to have it recorded (registered?) in your local Probate Court facility.
  • Wills Legal Zoom vs. Willmaker
    Legalzoom says that an actual person reviews teh Will, compared to fully automated Willmaker.. anyone has thoughts on this?
  • will making
    what about how to make a will for free. If your 'estate' is fairly basic can't you just write what you want for instance who you want to take care of 'guardianship of a child', and have it signed by two witnesses?
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