Online Wills

[somerset72]

Has anyone done their wills online? Ours our quite simple so we're thinking that it would be ok to do it online. Any thoughts on this? Any website to recommend?

[retiredguy123]

You can do a simple will online at legalzoom.com for $89.

Or, if you want it done by a lawyer, Amy Pittman will do it for about $300.

[rjm1cc]

The problem is you do not know what you do not know? Is your administrator going to be your long time friend that does not live in Fl? If yes the friend will not qualify in Fl.

[JohnN]

We used Quicken and had it notarized. It seems a pretty simple process as long as your will is not complex. Ours was about as simple as one could be.

The 8 Best Online Will Makers of 2020 (https://www.thebalance.com/best-online-will-makers-4580500)

[OpusX1]

Legal advice is almost always worth what you pay for it.

[manaboutown]

Online wills are usually valid. But...matters such as Advance Directives, possible DNR's, how one may write a letter distributing various personal items among relatives and friends, alternative executor selection should a surviving spouse be unable to perform the necessary duties and the like should be considered. An attorney can provide a checklist and maybe give a little advice as to things one may not otherwise consider. I have learned not to be penny-wise and pound foolish.

[Nanny32162]

Has anyone done their wills online? Ours our quite simple so we're thinking that it would be ok to do it online. Any thoughts on this? Any website to recommend?

We were told, by the attorney, who drew our will, that, in Florida, if a will need to be probated, it can take up to three years. (That is an awkward sentence, hope it makes sense.)

[Annie66]

This is a serious decision, and not one left to amateurs. Fork out the $250 for a lawyer and make sure your desires are not contested after you pass away.

[TimeForChange]

Spend the money and do a trust. If your will goes to probate in FL and you have heirs it could take three years for them to see anything. A trust is the way to go. We just did ours.

[mydavid]

Has anyone done their wills online? Ours our quite simple so we're thinking that it would be ok to do it online. Any thoughts on this? Any website to recommend? I retrieved a templet on line and customized it to fit my needs, had it notarized total cost $20. Their are Lawyers around here that will do it for $100.

[jedalton]

We used Quicken and had it notarized. It seems a pretty simple process as long as your will is not complex. Ours was about as simple as one could be.

The 8 Best Online Will Makers of 2020 (https://www.thebalance.com/best-online-will-makers-4580500)
where did you get it Notarized? had trouble finding someone who would notarize mine?

[Kegarn]

Your bank has a notary.

[retiredguy123]

where did you get it Notarized? had trouble finding someone who would notarize mine?
I would try the Fidelity Investments office at Lake Sumter. But, I don't know if you need to be a customer.

[woderfulwendy1]

To answer your question. Yes, we did ours, my uncle and my parents on line. No problems when they died. Just get it notarized. Trust would be better than a will for just a little more on legal zoom.

[jedalton]

they wouldn't do it because it wasn't done by an attorney, same as UPS, and others.

[Jimmay]

Just remember that a will by itself is destined for probate without a trust to back it up.

[tjboxer79]

Go to Milhorn. Must be done to comply with Fla.

[charlie1]

Banks, UPS, etc will not notarize legal documents such as this. Who else can you use and who did you use at witnesses? Is there a notary that will supply witnesses?

[Niferlou06]

Just had ours done in addition to my mothers. All online, or via phone. Will, living will, health care, and durable power of attorney. Please call Attorney Thomas Chandler 941-779-6772. Registered with bar and very friendly and helpful. He will work with you for your needs put all documents together and email them to you with instructions on printing and getting notarized. $100 per person. Attorney Chandler keeps costs low as will print the documents.

[Niferlou06]

Attorney Thomas Chandler all online/phone for $100 per person.
941-779-6772

[rjm1cc]

Spend the money and do a trust. If your will goes to probate in FL and you have heirs it could take three years for them to see anything. A trust is the way to go. We just did ours.

I question the three years for a straight forward probate. Any additional information?
You can minimize probate by having beneficiaries named for assets that allow it. Probably banks and brokerages for a start. in Fl there is also summary probate for small estates.

[doodles]

In Fl a simple will can be probated by the state and it will take a 3% fee. A trust is the way to go in Fl, will cost $699 per two different lawyers I talked to. Mine is in process

[Mikef99]

I was told Florida law is very strange on wills & trusts....depending on the aamount of your estate it might be worth the fees to have it done right. It is not like you will have a chance to correct it and my thought was the family left would need to clean up the mess. I am very frugal.

[DAVES]

On my to do, should do list. We both have family issues. Perhaps, the reason we are avoiding making the decisions. As far as estates and wills. My parents, not in Florida, had their will by a small attorney. My dad passed first. When, my mom passed, they did not have much. Any item of value was listed as to who gets it. Fortunately, neither my sister or I chose to dispute their wishes.
The attorneys-the copy of the will we had was with a white cover. The valid one has a blue cover. The attorney who prepared the will went out of business. I found her. She claims she sent the blue covered copy to my sister-proof none. Sister said she does not have it. Long story short, it cost us several hundred dollars in legal bills at a time of stress to get an official blue covered will.
Do any of us relish the thought of our relatives fighting over whatever property you will leave behind?

[DAVES]

where did you get it Notarized? had trouble finding someone who would notarize mine?

The fee is fixed and it is very minimal so places do not wish to do it.
Think of a place where you do financial business-a bank-a brokerage-attorney-insurance-real estate. All will likely have a notary or can direct you to one that they use.

[retiredguy123]

If your estate is mostly financial assets, the best way to have peace of mind is to designate a beneficiary as payable on death for each asset. I think, for many people, that will allow almost all of their assets to transfer automatically without probate or a trust disbursement.

[dougjb]

Right after I do my will on line, I am going to find a website to do my own open heart surgery. I heard its really simple. Afterall, I am sure those people who spend seven years obtaining post-secondary degrees and spending years in practice really know nothing more than I do...if I obtain my information from the internet. Besides I will be cold and rotting in my grave before it comes time for my internet will to take effect. Then I won't care at all.

For those of you rendering legal advice here, if you are not a Florida licensed attorney, you are committing a felony! Just thought you would like to know.

[johntheresa]

Call Millhorn and Shamawany law firm for $75 per person for will, you cannot go wrong. 352-205-4995
They also have FREE seminars to learn more. Check out website

[Villagesgal]

Spend the money and do a trust. If your will goes to probate in FL and you have heirs it could take three years for them to see anything. A trust is the way to go. We just did ours.

My ex husbands estate went to probate here in Florida and there were heirs, 3 of them, and others trying to get money who were so called " friends", even a woman saying she was his fiance, but had no proof. It took just under 1 year to clear probate here in Sumter County. His net worth was high, but the judge handled everything well. So 3 years is a stretch. It was less than 1 year.

[BethBowen]

Thought it was recommended to have a trust in Florida.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Right after I do my will on line, I am going to find a website to do my own open heart surgery. I heard its really simple. Afterall, I am sure those people who spend seven years obtaining post-secondary degrees and spending years in practice really know nothing more than I do...if I obtain my information from the internet. Besides I will be cold and rotting in my grave before it comes time for my internet will to take effect. Then I won't care at all.

For those of you rendering legal advice here, if you are not a Florida licensed attorney, you are committing a felony! Just thought you would like to know.

The last time I checked it wasn't a felony to answer questions; i.e., is this better than that, where can I..., who can do..., have you...

[retiredguy123]

Thought it was recommended to have a trust in Florida.
Yes, they are recommended by lawyers who make a lot of money selling them.

[rjm1cc]

Yes, a trust is good if you want to control the money after your death. Also if you have significant assets or potential fights over your will a trust could be useful.

[retiredguy123]

Yes, a trust is good if you want to control the money after your death. Also if you have significant assets or potential fights over your will a trust could be useful.
You can't take it with you and you shouldn't try to control it after you are dead.

[manaboutown]

A simple will from a reputable online website can do the job for many small estates, no doubt about it. Concerns I would have as a testator are whether I satisfactorily met the law's execution requirements and about whether I was aware of all the incidentals I should be considering.

Apparently holographic wills are not recognized in Florida. Holographic Wills | Jacksonville Probate Lawyer (https://www.owenbylaw.com/blog/2017/september/are-holographic-wills-valid-in-florida-/)

As others have posted if one uses a simple will to pass on an estate it might be desirable to hold bank accounts, securities accounts and such in Totten trusts/PODs. What Is a Totten Trust? | Nolo (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-is-totten-trrust.html)

[Buckeye Bleau]

We used LegalZoom: Start a Business, Protect Your Family: LLC, Incorporate, Wills, Trademark, Legal Advice (http://www.legalzoom.com) for living wills, wills and a lot more.
They are very thorough and especially precise.

[birdiebill]

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[EdFNJ]

Legal advice is almost always worth what you pay for it. DO you know what they call a lawyer who graduated last in his law school class? A lawyer. :)

[manaboutown]

DO you know what they call a lawyer who graduated last in his law school class? A lawyer. :)

and with a doctor, an MD?

[dcc@cohrn.com]

We're in your corner to help, in the comfort of your own home you can complete you will very easily. Please visit Cornerstone's free online will at FreeWill.com/Cornerstone

[Renee1953]

I retrieved a templet on line and customized it to fit my needs, had it notarized total cost $20. Their are Lawyers around here that will do it for $100.

Will you please share the name and contact information of that lawyer?
Thank you.

[retiredguy123]

Banks, UPS, etc will not notarize legal documents such as this. Who else can you use and who did you use at witnesses? Is there a notary that will supply witnesses?
I had mine done at the Fidelity Investments office, and they provided witnesses. But, I am a customer, so I don't know if they will do it for non-customers.

I find it shameful that notaries won't do their job for everyone. It shouldn't matter what document is being signed or whether it was prepared by a lawyer. The notary is not validating the document. They are just verifying a signature. Regarding witnesses, why can't you bring your own witnesses?