Estate Planning Question

[SunnyOne]

I've moved to a small town and have spoken around and learned that the local attorneys here are not well respected.
I need to update my will and trust. I don't think I need to stay in this county to do that? I can go to any larger city as long as it's in the same state, right?
Estate law is established at the state level?

And as long as I am on the topic, CNBC Squawk Box is always interrupted with ads for www.trustandwill.com

Are they really a viable alternative? There has to be a downside and upside is only lower cost?

 

[SecondCor521]

Estate law is mostly at the state level, although there are federal laws as well of course. I've never heard of any local variations, so I would feel comfortable going to any good attorney in my state.

Trust and Will is probably a viable alternative for basic wills. If you have anything complex, they probably max out at a certain level. If your 30 years old and have a 401(k) with beneficiaries and just need to name someone as guardian for your four year old, it probably works. If you want spendthrift provisions or a pourover will or want to establish an endowed scholarship at your local college, then they probably don't go that far.

 

[jebmke]

IMO the value of an attorney isn't so much the preparation of documents as it is helping you develop a plan that ultimately determines what documents you need. I am not trained in state and federal estate laws so I prefer not to DIY. Same with surgery.

 

[DrRoy]

Yes, generally by state.

 

[CRLLS]

Some of us use Nolo Willmaker software. Some will advise not to. If the will is a basic to mildly complicated and the named executor is a trusted individual, I can recommend it. It does go thru most of the questions you will need to answer in a plain manner. It is legal in all states and specific to your state.

I use it for a fairly complicated beneficiary list.