Re: Public Service Announcement

First consultations can be free, but these are usually the consultations
that involve the possibility of being hired. For example, the criminal
defense guys I work with will all see a person for nothing, and at that
meeting will quote them their fee. I would imagine that estate lawyers, who
get their fair share of people wanting free consultations to write up their
own wills, might charge at least a nominal fee for an initial visit, since
the chances of the visit resulting in being hired might be less.

You can imagine what the problem would be. If you give folks one free
meeting and tell them what needs to be in their wills, even if you strongly
advise them not to write it themselves (AND NO ONE EVER SHOULD!), people
often don't listen to that very important advice, and you could conceivably
spend half your hours every week giving out free legal advice on how to
write wills.

My advice echoes Bambi's original post (and hugs to you, Bambi, for whatever
you're dealing with as a result of someone not taking that advice): Find a
good attorney and pay him the fee to handle your estate preparation. Your
executor and beneficiaries will thank you in the future.

Sandi

"RaeMorrill" <RaeMorrill@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:WUbpg.8425$O35.6725@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I guess it depends on if you want to be sure you have everything firmly in
place, uncontestable. Depending on amount of estate there may be tax issues
you could avoid with the right plan in place. I sure wouldn't risk it. I'd
imagine if you do your own with no legal advice, it would be very easy for
any family member who isn't left what they believe they should have to
contest it. Then the estate would have to pay for legal work (I would
think) to defend the will - and that could take up considerable funds. At
least get a consultation with an estate attorney. First consultations are
usually free aren't they, Sandi? They could at least point out the pros and
cons of going various routes. There are all kinds of things the average
person would never think of that could be benefits or risks. LIke a person
could leave money to a benevolent institution, but direct that the interest
on it go to benificiary for X time or for their lifetime.

Judity wrote:
Bambi, I'm curious. After buying online the living will, living trust
agreement, and will kits, I've hesitated about filling them out. Do
you know if I need witnesses or can I just bring them to a notary
public place or something? I suppose I could spend a small fortune
going to a lawyer, but is there another way to do this?

What I really want is to avoid my very small estate having to go
through the lengthy probate process with legal fees eating up what I am
leaving. Any ideas on this?

Judity
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