How do you go about getting a will for passing down ownership of possessions?

[Reasonable Doubt]

How do you go about getting a will for passing down ownership of possessions?

 

[JPS35]

Seriously? Contact an estate lawyer?

 

[BoomerD]

Download a will form that’s legal in your state. Have your signature notarized...

 

[Red Squirrel]

See a lawyer office and they can walk you through it.

I got mine done a few years back. I can't recall how much it cost, a couple hundred if I recall. Not exactly cheap but it's good piece of mind to know your affairs are in order if you pass away.

 

[Thebobo]

I'm in that boat too and I don't want to pay a blood sucking lawyer.

If it's simple can't one create their own will? When I croak, I want to give my barbie doll collection to my brother signed

Thebobo.

 

[Charmonium]

A revocable trust is probably a better idea than a will since the beneficiary doesn't have to go through probate.

I haven't studied this stuff in decades so if you're interested, take a look at the link (was first hit on google so I'm hoping the site is at least bona fide). Anyway, as I recall, which may or may not be accurate, a trust requires 3 parties, the grantor (you), the beneficiary and a trustee to administer the trust in accordance with its terms. I think you can be any 2 of those parties but not all three, which in this case, shouldn't be an issue.

https://www.thebalance.com/the-benefits-of-a-revocable-living-trust-vs-a-will-3505405

 

[zinfamous]

talk to one of them law-talking people.

 

[allisolm]

A revocable trust is probably a better idea than a will since the beneficiary doesn't have to go through probate.
https://www.thebalance.com/the-benefits-of-a-revocable-living-trust-vs-a-will-3505405

I don't know if a living trust is good for everyone, but my mother and father in-law had one and, when the last one died, all we had to do was provide a copy of the living trust and a death certificate to the state where they died, instruct their broker to liquidate their assets, close bank accounts, and then distribute the money to the beneficiaries as per the terms of the trust. No mess, no fuss. No probate, no probate fees.

 

[Zanovar]

I don't know if a living trust is good for everyone, but my mother and father in-law had one and, when the last one died, all we had to do was provide a copy of the living trust and a death certificate to the state where they died, instruct their broker to liquidate their assets, close bank accounts, and then distribute the money to the beneficiaries as per the terms of the trust. No mess, no fuss. No probate, no probate fees.

close and loving family

 

[Charmonium]

close and loving family

It's the memories that matter. Like the time uncle Jim got so drunk he passed out sitting on the top step of the deck and the dog pissed in his face.

Memories.

 

[highland145]

close and loving family

I don't have a sentimental bone in my body. After Mom passes, assuming she doesn't outlive me , liquidate other than some pics. My sis still has boxes of my grandmother's stuff (2001) and my maternal grandfather's (1977). One day, she's going to do something with it....

It's the memories that matter. Like the time uncle Jim got so drunk he passed out sitting on the top step of the deck and the dog pissed in his face.

Memories.

lolololll and QFT. Sadly, most of mine are with friends but I wouldn't trade them

 

[Zanovar]

I don't have a sentimental bone in my body. After Mom passes, assuming she doesn't outlive me , liquidate other than some pics. My sis still has boxes of my grandmother's stuff (2001) and my maternal grandfather's (1977). One day, she's going to do something with it....
lolololll and QFT. Sadly, most of mine are with friends but I wouldn't trade them

You and sentimental thats a shocker

 

[highland145]

You and sentimental thats a shocker

lol, so is punctuation.

 

[Zanovar]

Erm,you are falling into knobhead mode again.cant help you.

 

[kranky]

Assuming you just want a very simple will (I leave X to John Doe, I leave Y to Mary Smith...) just borrow Quicken WillMaker from your library (make sure it comes with the CD). It walks you through some questions, and at the end out pops a will valid in your state.

Make sure you get it witnessed/notarized/whatever is required in your state to make a will official.

 

[highland145]

Erm,you are falling into knobhead mode again.cant help you.

Did you ever explain that?

 

[Charmonium]

Assuming you just want a very simple will (I leave X to John Doe, I leave Y to Mary Smith...) just borrow Quicken WillMaker from your library (make sure it comes with the CD). It walks you through some questions, and at the end out pops a will valid in your state.

Make sure you get it witnessed/notarized/whatever is required in your state to make a will official.

I'm not sure how many people realize this, but if you have real property in other states, the will also needs to conform to the laws there, just fyi.

But what I wanted to say was that I watch a lot of cable news (MSNBC, just so we can get that out of the way) and I'm always seeing commercials for LegalZoom. I have no experience with or knowledge of that company but it shouldn't be too hard to find some reviews. Should be cheaper than going to someone in person. But you need to do some research to find out if you can actually rely on them.

Also, there's a company called Nolo Press that specializes in legal guides for dozens of areas normal people are likely to need legal advice. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to rely just on a book from them buy if you were to do a little self-education before talking to someone, you'd at least be able to make an informed decision.

 

[bbhaag]

Make an appointment with a lawyer about setting up a living trust. It will only cost you a couple hundred dollars and it's substantially better than doing it on your own.

Don't try and do this on your own. I know this is ATOT and a lot of guys are going to say " it's easy to do it by yourself and you can save XXX dollars" but really with something as important as this it is best to sit down and go over it with a lawyer.