Quicken Willmaker Plus 2008 Edition: Estate Planning Essentials (Book with CD-ROM)

Since the more comprehensive reviewers here have already covered the features of Willmaker Plus 2007, I will only add a little opinion and a heep of praise to Quicken, for teaming up with Nolo in making this incredibly easy to use yet powerful program.

I must admit that I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I was able to create a simple Will without even opening the book because of the very easy to use step by step format. Legal jargon is explained brilliantly in laymans terms. This program is truly idiot proof!

Wills, Powers of Attorney for health care & finances along with other legal documents are the most important yet often neglected documents a person must deal with in life. Becoming incapacitated or dying without these documents in place can leave your loved ones with a real legal nightmare.

Completing my Will & Powers of Attorney and putting all of my important papers like deeds, titles, financial statements and insurance policies, in one place (known to loved ones) has given me tremendous peace of mind in knowing that my loved ones will have a much easier time resolving all of the legal matters if I become incapacitated or when I die.

I have created a Will and a living will with this handy program. The book that comes with it is quite extensive, but the instructions are also viewed with each page you create. It guides you through the process and is really easy. The only problem is, when you are done with the document, you actually need to take action, and have someone witness your signature, and you need to have some documents notarized. It is a process you must do, or some of the documents you create are useless. Don't be lazy like me, get it done, and forget about it! In addition to wills and estate planning, it also has common legal documents, like things for pet sitters, credit history requests, and authorizations for temporary guardianships for minors. It is quite the package!

After looking at all possible options for creating wills for my husband and myself, I decided to give Willmaker a try.

I'm very happy I did!

The software not only gives you options, but also suggestions as to where to begin, and what is most important to people at the same age and status in life.

While you are filling out the forms, each page has concise definitions and explanations for all options on the right of the page. Making informed choices is easy and effortless.

My mother just revised her will, using a lawyer. The process was tedious and time consuming. Her resulting will and other documents are remarkably similar to mine. Her cost $1200.00. Using Willmaker, my husband and I created all the required documents in a few evenings, and took them to our bank for a notary and witness signatures. Our cost, under $40.

A perfect solution to a stressful and necessary task.

Few obsess, or even like to think about their own death. But it will happen, and generally not at a time of our own choosing. So why leave a legal mess for your family to clean up when you can spend thirty bucks and change for this software, and in less than an hour bang out a serviceable will? The software is interview-based, tailored to your State law, has a full range of forms and considerations, and is user-friendly. This small expenditure can save your heirs the cost and delays of probate court, and put your estate in the hands of an executor of your choice rather than one appointed by the court. And the exercise of making your will is a remarkable starting point for contemplation of the fleeting nature of life, and what you value in life. At least it was for me - and, full disclosure, I am not a lawyer, so I am blissfully ignorant of any of the software's flaws in this regard.

A final note - buy the book+software combo - it's cheaper than the software alone. And live long and prosper.

This product is great and I highly recommend it. I was years behind in updating my will. The attorney who did my first will had stopped practicing law and I was not sure who to call. On top of that, I knew it was going to be expensive. You do not need an attorney to do a simple will. Most people can do it themselves easily with Quicken Willmaker Plus. On the Amazon site, you will see 2 different products called Quicken Willmaker Plus. One is software and one is a book. Buy the book. The information there will help you with the process, and the same software is inserted inside the cover of the book. On top of that, the book is cheaper than the software alone. With Quicken Willmaker plus, I was able to create my own will. Plus, it is saved in an electronic format and I can easily change it or update it in the future. Keep in mind, there are some situations where you should seek an attorney's help: 1) If you have a disabled or handicapped child that you want to provide for. 2) If you have been through a divorce and are trying to protect your assets from individual(s). Those situations are complicated and it would be wise to seek professional counsel. For most people though, you can do this yourself and save a lot of money. Most of us have just been convinced that we need a professional. I highly recommend this product. I have a lot of peace of mind now that I know this is taken care of. Oh by the way, this software will help you with some other important documents besides the will. You can create a durable power of attorney and create end-of-life documents including a living will. You don't have to put this off any longer.