[pablito]

Hi:

I'm embarrassed to admit that my wife and I are still without a last Will and Testament. This is something I aim to rectify ASAP and was wondering if people had thoughts on using the online DIY kits, wizards, etc.? Or am I talking crazy and should rush out to a proper lawyer and simply cough up the extra dough?

I am genuinely without a clue and so wanted to be sure the extra money I pay the lawyer for what I think is a fairly cookie cutter type situation is actually money well spent.

If some of you recommend the DIY route, which online service have you used?

Pab

 

[pablito]

I've been Googling since I posted and concluded that a lawyer was the way to go. The type of service I had in mind when I asked were sites like
http://www.legalwills.ca and http://www.lawdepot.com.

Oddly enough, LegalWills.ca's press release discussing a CBC Market Watch piece (http://www.legalwills.ca/news_995_010710.aspx) had the opposite effect and convinced me that the online approach was not for me. It struck me that I wouldn't be all that comfortable with the idea of providing so much personal information to a seemingly anonymous web site.

OGG: You're suggestion of reading up before we go in is sound advice. Any recommendations? So far, I've found "You can't take it with you" by Sandra Foster and "The Canadian Guide to Will & Estate Planning" by Douglas Gray and John Budd.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[pablito]

Interesting follow-ups...

I called a few places locally (Greater Moncton area) and was quoted $300 for both of us. In one case, this included Power of Attorney while with another I'd have to shell out an extra $75 (not sure if that was one or both though).

That said, the free will kit that Elbyron points to seems interesting. I'm thinking I might use it to get something done quickly while I read through Sandra Foster's book (picked up a copy at the library yesterday). At the very least, it can act as a draft/first run while I come up to speed on the subject. Once I have a better idea about things, maybe I'll end up doing the lawyer thing... we'll see.

Thanks for all the feedback!