Posted by A-1 Signing Agents, LLC on 10/3/08 3:08pm
Msg #266255

need advice please OT

I'm sorry for posting something personal but I tried to do as much research as I could on my own and can't find what I need. We recently found out my husband has cancer. His brother just passed away on 9/4 from cancer as well. Sort of brought up the issue of needing to do a will. Being as both of us were caring for his brother for 2 months prior to his passing, neither one of us were able to work. Sort of bring up the financial issue here now. With no income for 2 months, we are unable to hire an attorney to make one up for us. I have been looking on line for free legal forms to go ahead and do this ourselves. Of course all these websites that I have hit aren't free. That should be illegal IMO. I would normally keep personal business personal but I figured just asking for a website that has free downloadable forms would bring up other issues such as wrong forum etc. I'd thank anyone who can tell me any info in advance. I'm sorry for posting on this forum since it's not really work related. PM me if you like so not to clutter the board with unrelated topics. I am asking for prayer though. I'm looking for a Florida will, living will and health care surrogate.

Thank you in advance

Carol

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/3/08 3:22pm
Msg #266259

Not free, but only $10

http://www.ilrg.com/forms/st_estateplanning.html

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/3/08 4:00pm
Msg #266264


Check this out.

http://www.floridabar.org/tfb/flabarwe.nsf/840090c16eedaf0085256b61000928dc/b954f12053a410ec85256e28005bd4a0

Reply by goodgirl on 10/3/08 4:00pm
Msg #266265

Carol,
I am a Paralegal and notarize a lot of wills, POAs and advance directives for terminally ill people.
A number of people I have served have used LegalZoom.com. I believe the cost to download a will is about $69. The wills I've seen from this group look fine to me - everything seems to be in order. I think you choose your state and their database does all the work and makes sure the will complies with your state's requirements. I believe you fill in your information online, and then it prints the whole document for you the way you filled it in. $69 may seem like a lot, but actually, in comparison to an attorney, that's cheap.
I don't know where you are, or how old your husband is, but usually, the Area Agencies on Aging do wills pro bono for people with terminal illnesses.
Also, don't forget the American Cancer Society. My mother had cancer many years ago before she died (and that is NOT what she died of) and they provided a driver (they have volunteers) to take her to her radiation treatments on a daily basis. They didn't require that she pay the drivers, but she did because that's just how mom was. I wouldn't doubt that they have some programs that might assist people with wills.
Also, call your local, state, or American Bar Association. I know for a fact that there are attorneys who do pro bono work in situations like this.
Finally, a number of people I have notarized wills for simply sit down and hand write everything they want to say and what they want to do, and whom they want to name as beneficiaries and what they want to give their beneficiaries. They then get themselves a couple witnesses and a Notary, and the witnesses witness and the Notary notarizes, and everyone seems satisfied with the outcome. May not be a $500 will, but it seems to work for the testator or testatrix, and as long as they are satisfied with the outcome and it eases their mind, that's all that matters.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/3/08 4:05pm
Msg #266267

Software is also available through Quicken's Willmaker. That program contains all the necessary docs--POA, medical directive, will, etc. You might also check to see if you have a local chapter of AARP--they often have volunteers from various fields. I hope your husband will get well & you won't need the will for a long time.

Reply by Ginger Peters on 10/3/08 4:19pm
Msg #266273

Re: need advice please OT-wills

I've seen will kits at "Wally World"...wayyyyyy cheaper than $69. They are with the office supplies.

Reply by John_NorCal on 10/3/08 4:23pm
Msg #266274

Have you tried

your local Legal Aid Society. That's usually a good place to start, if they can't help you, they can usually steer you in the right direction.

Good luck and God bless you and your husband

Reply by EastTxNotary on 10/3/08 4:37pm
Msg #266276

I was in a conversation recently with a Texas attorney regarding wills. She specializes in family law. Her advice was that if you can't afford an attorney, the next best thing is a handwritten will. Her comment was that if you're competent enough to compose a will and sign it, and your handwriting will/can be verified, then it is a self proving will. You might want to do some further research on that. Hope it helps!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/3/08 4:38pm
Msg #266277

Careful here - many states don't recognize

holographic (handwritten) wills....

It would be nice if one of the attorneys who frequent this board would step up and help her out ... JMO

Reply by Becca_FL on 10/3/08 5:25pm
Msg #266285

I recently no0tarized a self drawn will that was purchased on the Suze Orman site. Here's a link. It's only $13.50.

http://www.suzeorman.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=MD002a&SRCN=catalogdetail&ProductID=20&StartRow=1&GnavID=10&SnavID=48&TnavID

Reply by jba/fl on 10/3/08 6:38pm
Msg #266289

www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html

This is recognized in Florida, the 5 Wishes Living Will. I have been looking at this since Terry Schivo's case, finding it much to my liking. It is $5.00. The website if full of information to help put your minds at ease.

I wish you well, am so sorry you are having another crisis so soon after the last. You are in my prayers.

Reply by A-1 Signing Agents, LLC on 10/4/08 9:54am
Msg #266324

I have all I need now

Thank you all for the different pieces of advice. I got all I need downloaded and will be doing a will for myself as well. Something that should have been done but you don't think of these things till you go through a situation as we are going through. I do thank anyone who prayers since for us and our kids since I know that is THE only thing that has carried us through this so far. I didn't know I had this type of strength in me. LOL, it's all the little things that have sent me over the edge lately. Again, I apologize for putting this in the work forum. This is the first place that pops up for everyone so I wanted it to be obvious.

Carol

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/4/08 10:18am
Msg #266325

Re: I have all I need now

"it's all the little things that have sent me over the edge lately"

That is so true of most of us

Glad you got all you need now, and our prayers will continue.