Comments on: DIY Will Form Kits v. Attorney http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/ Florida Wills & Estate Planning Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:47:34 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lesly http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-19 Lesly Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:47:34 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-19 Hi Vicki, I suggest that you consult with an attorney licensed in your state that helps people draft wills, since I do not know where you are or what you have. If you do try to do a will on your own, you will want to make sure that it will be valid and enforceable in your state. Your state's bar association may have free consumer pamphlets that explain what is required. I have been involved in quite a bit of litigation regarding who gets the right to the person's remains, so I would suggest having an attorney do a simple will, which should be inexpensive, and including instructions about burial, funeral, social networking, or any other last wishes you may have, so that there is no question or dispute about it when you are gone. Thanks, Lesly C. Longa Hi Vicki,
I suggest that you consult with an attorney licensed in your state that helps people draft wills, since I do not know where you are or what you have. If you do try to do a will on your own, you will want to make sure that it will be valid and enforceable in your state. Your state’s bar association may have free consumer pamphlets that explain what is required. I have been involved in quite a bit of litigation regarding who gets the right to the person’s remains, so I would suggest having an attorney do a simple will, which should be inexpensive, and including instructions about burial, funeral, social networking, or any other last wishes you may have, so that there is no question or dispute about it when you are gone.
Thanks,
Lesly C. Longa

]]> By: Vicki http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-15 Vicki Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:36:30 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-15 Just found this article because I'm trying to decide whether to buy some software or not. I do not have, by any stretch of the imagination, an "estate". If I dropped dead tomorrow, there really won't be any MONEY to speak of, and I don't have children. Basically, I'd like something legal to say, I want this niece to have my scrapbooks, this sister to have my jewelry, this nephew to have the weird abstract painting I did that he claims he really 'loves'. Do I really need to see an attorney for that? Just found this article because I’m trying to decide whether to buy some software or not. I do not have, by any stretch of the imagination, an “estate”. If I dropped dead tomorrow, there really won’t be any MONEY to speak of, and I don’t have children. Basically, I’d like something legal to say, I want this niece to have my scrapbooks, this sister to have my jewelry, this nephew to have the weird abstract painting I did that he claims he really ‘loves’. Do I really need to see an attorney for that?

]]> By: Lesly http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-9 Lesly Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:14:39 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-9 I think it's fine to draft the will and then take it to an attorney, especially if the kit is free. Otherwise, it may not save you either time or money. At the very least it will get you thinking about how you want things handled, and what you want your will or trust to accomplish. Tomorrow's post will be on living wills, and I will include a link to a free Florida form. Thanks for your question! I think it’s fine to draft the will and then take it to an attorney, especially if the kit is free. Otherwise, it may not save you either time or money. At the very least it will get you thinking about how you want things handled, and what you want your will or trust to accomplish. Tomorrow’s post will be on living wills, and I will include a link to a free Florida form. Thanks for your question!

]]> By: Bob http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-8 Bob Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:52:33 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-8 Thanks for the article. Is it worthwhile to use a kit to draft what you are looking for, then take it to an attorney? It seems like it would save sone time, and help you anticipate the questions the lawyer will ask. Thanks! Thanks for the article. Is it worthwhile to use a kit to draft what you are looking for, then take it to an attorney? It seems like it would save sone time, and help you anticipate the questions the lawyer will ask.

Thanks!

]]> By: Lesly http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-7 Lesly Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:50:46 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-7 I think that's a great point, Neil. Thanks for your comment! I think that’s a great point, Neil. Thanks for your comment!

]]> By: Neil W. Tyra http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-6 Neil W. Tyra Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:22:40 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-6 In this sense, I think the success of products like TurboTax do a bit of a disservice to the consumer. People think that since they can get assistance doing their taxes using their computer that they can reap similar benefits drafting a will. The problem here, or one of the problems, is that with TurboTax if you make a mistake, you and the IRS are around to resolve it. With a will, one of the important parties is no longer with us. And for people with significant financial holdings, you don't see them typically relying on TurboTax. the same ought to be true for will making. In this sense, I think the success of products like TurboTax do a bit of a disservice to the consumer. People think that since they can get assistance doing their taxes using their computer that they can reap similar benefits drafting a will. The problem here, or one of the problems, is that with TurboTax if you make a mistake, you and the IRS are around to resolve it. With a will, one of the important parties is no longer with us.

And for people with significant financial holdings, you don’t see them typically relying on TurboTax. the same ought to be true for will making.

]]> By: Lawyer Pleads Case Of Why You Should Avoid Will Kits [Wills] | Gizmart Blog http://floridawillmaker.com/2009/10/01/is-it-worth-the-money/#comment-3 Lawyer Pleads Case Of Why You Should Avoid Will Kits [Wills] | Gizmart Blog Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:09:54 +0000 http://floridawillmaker.com/?p=152#comment-3 [...] a post on her blog, Florida Willmaker, Longa said savings provided by will kits may be fool’s gold. She [...] [...] a post on her blog, Florida Willmaker, Longa said savings provided by will kits may be fool’s gold. She [...]

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