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Making a Will

Posted: Aug 12, 2010

How many of you have set aside time to make your final wishes known? I kept saying I was going to do it, and today at least I have written in a tablet all vital information my family needs to know, phone numbers, bank info, etc. Money is so limited, but I want to have a formal will done very soon.

I saw firsthand what confusion comes of not letting people know simple things. There are so many details, and I am going to make things as easy on everyone as possible. I have written down special requests for my burial, the service, etc. I have even picked out the music for the service.

Money is so tight now, and I am wondering. Does anyone know the approximate price of having a will drawn up? Not a happy subject, I know. I am trying to be responsible and considerate. I want to make sure that any money left will be donated to the welfare of animals.

Thanks

;

Wills - Happy MT Robin

[ In Reply To ..]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_(law)

You can actually do a hand written will yourself and get a witness to sign it. Just make sure that the witness is not one of the beneficiaries.

Legalzoom.Com is also a good resource and a basic will is about $70. There are other, more expensive options as well. I have used them before for setting up an LLC and they were really easy to work with and very efficient.

If you have a house that is paid off or is going to be paid off (hopefully) when you pass, another thing you may consider is a "transfer on death deed" for the house. My mom did this and so the day she died the house was immediately transferred to my brothers and sisters and I. It made selling it so much easier and we never had to go through probate.

If you have any checking accounts, savings accounts, IRAs, etc., make sure that you have your beneficiaries clearly named with their social security numbers, etc. If you and your kids have a good relationship, put at least one of them on your checking account. That was the only thing that my mom missed and we had to wait for the death certificate to get access to the bank account so we could pay the utility bills at the house.

My sister and I have done this now for our own accounts. We call it the "in case we get hit by a bus" plan.

The other thing that you can do is pick your executor ahead of time, whether it is one of your kids or a trusted friend, and go over your information with them. My sister was my mom's executor and they sat down on a couple of occasions to go over stuff and Mom did it again when her health got very bad near the end. She also put funny pictures in the stuff as little "happiness bombs" for after she died. It was really cute. Make sure that your executor is absolutely trustworthy, if there is going to be any financial matters that they have to deal with. I've heard horror stories about the executors just really scr@wing the rest of the beneficiaries.

Finally (and I know this is waaay more info that you asked for), if you have strong feelings about being intubated or a DNR/DNI, etc., fill out a living will and make sure everyone in your family who would be involved in any kind of decision making knows your feelings. That's one of the best things you can do is talk to them about it and really let them know how you feel. It makes life a whole lot easier for them when the time comes, I promise you.

Thank You - Thinking of Others

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your post. We seem to think we have many years to live, but yesterday again I asked how a man was doing, who was perfectly fine when I last saw him some months back. I was shocked when the group of people I was talking with said he had died. You have given some excellent advice. I am not waiting any longer to get this done. God Bless You.

I hope - ...

[ In Reply To ..]
Maybe paranoid, but I had a family member become interested in getting all her business taken care of, and a burial plot purchased, before she sent her own self into the next world! So I just want to make sure that your statement "money is tight" does not have anything to do with-- well, with anything. Just checkin'... Someone did mention on another board wishing she would not wake up in the morning. If this is not the case for you, then congratulations for taking care of something that usually gets postponed another year, and another year, etc. etc. It must be human psychology to postpone thinking about one's own demise! But like you said, it is really a favor to your loved ones to take care of the logistics-- bereavement is an awful time to have to sort out bank statements, bills, funeral arrangements, etc.

Some day, but not now - Thinking of Others

[ In Reply To ..]
I must admit that there are times, particularly in the last year that I would be alright with it being my time to go, but wanting to get my affairs in order now has nothing to do with that. I have been thinking of this for some time, and I want my family to have the answers they need. I am single, live alone, and I must take responsibility and do the right thing. The main reason this worries me is that I want it in a will that any money will go to fight animal abuse, and to rescue any injured, neglected, abused or homeless animals. Thank you for your concern. It speaks highly of you. I am touched by your post. I'm fine.

Yep did that a while ago - sm - ECMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Told my DH in no uncertain terms when our second child was born we were doing wills, six weeks later we were signing papers. So did our wills, durable general power of attorney, medical power of attorney (so we would have no issues with parents on either side, hopefully) and Living wills as well as neither of us wants to lanquish away for years on life support until we die. Bit pricey at $500 especially as it was just 2 of everything, two simple wills (i.e. I get everything of his, he gets everything of mine), nothing out of the ordinary. Already set up as beneficiary for his 401K and we both have life insurance with the the other as beneficiary, so set. Was not hung up or "scared" about doing it, as many put it off as they just don't want to think about death, but hey, it is gonna happen no matter what you do, so dying without a will just creates lots of problems for relatives, also they will get less as the state will take a chunk as you died w/o a will, and people/relatives you did not want to get money probably will get a piece of the pie then since you never put it in black and white. --as for funerals, if you really don't have any money then don't make your relatives poorer by having to lay out $10K for your funeral, they are the biggest waste of money....hey you are dead! Either donate your body to science (free) or go with a cremation and then friends/family can have a memorial service to remember you by, much, much more affordable. Unless you have a life insurance policy for $10K for the specific purpose of paying for your funeral I would not go that route, plus your family could benefit more by the money unless they are independently wealthy.

yes; have one. Probate for Estate is expensive, time consuming, adding to the heartache. - n/m

[ In Reply To ..]
n/m

Isnt that what Princess Diana and what's - his name did?

[ In Reply To ..]
x

You know,,,, made a Will????? - nm

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x

I don't own anything but I used the one from suzeorman.com - mtstudent

[ In Reply To ..]
I downloaded the Suze Orman kit for a revocable trust and living will. It was less than $15. I had it notarized at my credit union for free. (Not all banks will do this though.)

I have a folder that I keep it all in. I also have seperate folder with my bank account numbers/verbal pw and login/pw and the contact info for Sallie Mae to send my death certificate too with my account #. I don't want my debt to be a PITA to my relatives. :)

Some credit unions have a pre-paid legal plan and it covers doing a will. Maybe that would be more affordable? If I owned anything I would go with a lawyer. It's wise to meet with your insurance agent too when doing this too.

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