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Does anyone have experience with legal documents from legalzoom.com?

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I have mixed feelings about using products such as LegalZoom. I'm a lawyer but I don't practice; I do work in a law-related job, however. I wrote my own will, basing it on forms I found in a book about estate planning. I consider myself to be reasonably well educated and knowledgeable but I'm still a bit concerned whether the document I created will accomplish what I want it to after I die. On the other hand, in my situation, I do think that having something is better than having nothing.

Edited to add: Depending where you live, you could probably hire a lawyer to prepare a will for a few hundred dollars (i.e., starting at about $300). If that is within your budget, I suggest at least calling a few lawyers or law firms to get a price quote.
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NeedHelpWithMom Aug 2019
Thanks so much. Good advice. I appreciate it.
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NHWM - Have you heard of Dave Ramsey? He's a very well known financial adviser who has a popular radio show. On his website, he has a number of businesses that he recommends. He doesn't recommend just any business, only a few that have been vetted and considered ethical and good value by him.

On his website, I saw that he recommends Mama Bear Legal Forms. There's a complete package of last will and testament, Financial POA, and Health POA, all for $129. Here is the link if you want to check it out.
https://www.daveramsey.com/recommends/will

I have no experience with this company, so can't give a personal review, but I do trust Dave Ramsey. From him, I learned how to budget my monthly household expenses, live within my means and pay off my mortgage finally. Woohoo!!!

I actually am going to check out that will package for me and my husband.
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Thanks, polarbear

I have heard of Ramsey. Haven’t followed him extensively though to know a lot about him.

Mom is so frugal. She doesn’t want us to spend our money on her personal matters. Weighing on my mind. Not that she has a lot of money but I want us to have peace of mind of things being settled.
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I've used them, not for me personally, but for other seniors who just need a basic will, POA and so on. One has been tested in court, help up to the test.
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NeedHelpWithMom Aug 2019
Can you share more? If you want to. Don’t want to pry or invade anyone’s privacy.
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Thanks, appreciate the info.
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Yes, I've used them and also for durable PoA, Medical Directive, etc. I think I'd only recommend it for very simple estates. My mom owns a house, a care, cash in a checking account and a few simple investments. One good reason to use a lawyer is if the person creating the will is very advanced in years and there may be any question as to their mental clarity at the time they create the will. This happened with my 2 aunties who created wills in their late 80s and wanted me as their DPoA and executor, the attorney would not allow me into the room during the process so they could assess their mental states. The also wanted to make sure there was no financial elder abuse in process. Using legalzoom.com is affordable, easy and better than nothing!
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NeedHelpWithMom Aug 2019
Your answer makes perfect sense to me. Thanks.
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The fact is that a HANDWRITTEN, signed and witnessed will is legal in almost any state. HOWEVER, I would use a lawyer for a will. That is just me. Not something I could have problems with stuff slipping through cracks. A typed will is not as good as a handwritten will, making forms actually often less good in court than a few handwritten things. But for me, as I said, my recommend is a lawyer. I think DollyMe could have good ideas for you.
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NeedHelpWithMom Aug 2019
Interesting...typed vs handwritten
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