I am kind of like you. I do computer repair work, so my family does call. I usually don’t charge family (ok ok I make my mom cook for me but never take money)

But the fact is if you are spending time doing the work for someone else, it means its taking time from your other clients that you would be charging. So unless you are a very close friend, or its some thing I can do in under 15 minutes I will charge them, although it would be a significantly discounted rate and it will be done at my convenience. If they need it done now, I charge them.

One note, I chose the Orman one because she is based in California and the attorney she used for the software is based in the bay area. Well, my parents live in the bay area and I read the program was more catered towards California law so that’s the one I chose for my parents.

In my experience, usually the stuff that you don’t even know that you don’t know is what gets you in the end. That, along with having someone with errors and omissions insurance to hold accountable if there is a costly mistake made, makes lawyers worth a look.

Allen, Attorney billing rates range from 150 (cheap) to 250 per hour for estate planning. Lets say it takes 2 hours to do the will (including the initial consultation)a few hundred (200-300) is a discount.

Some attorneys will do basic wills for 100 or so. They can do it so inexpensively because they are very efficient (using document assembly programs).

Plus what some people think is simple can actually be complicated. A young family with 3 kids, a house, standard investment accounts (1 checking, 1 savings, 1 401k, no debt beyond mortgage), but one of their children is adopted and gets state payments, The investment account is a peculiar brand, and pretty soon the standard online services don’t cut it.

To each their own!

A few weeks ago, we were consulting with a lawyer about something else, and at the end, DH suggested we get our will done. 10 minutes later, we left. We got drafts in the mail, and all we have to do now is set up an appointment to get the things signed and put them somewhere safe. Better use of a few $100s. The wills are very uncomplicated, but it clearly says who will take responsibility for our minor children and their money if we leave them early.

Now we just have to get our act together about where our various investments are and distribute copies amongst trusted family members, just in case.

Should talk to JAG about that!