By best family lawyer, we do not mean the best lawyers in town to cater to your needs. For this post, we will look at some of the best family lawyer/will software out there. There are a lot of reasons why it is essential to have a will and since it is expensive to hire a lawyer, these will makers come handy. If you are considering checking out for one or to explore how they can be used for your ease, here is a roundabout of the best family lawyer software out there.
What is a family lawyer software?
Basically, last wills function as legal documents that will ensure that your assets and properties will go to whom you want them to go after your demise. Not having a last will would mean that all of your properties will be distributed to immediate kin and heirs anent to inheritance laws.
A last will software will help you in drafting your own will. The good thing about these softwares is that, you can always update your will should significant life changes happen. So be it marriage, divorce/annulment, increased savings, more properties or selling some, you can be sure that the addendums will be in place.
Are DIY wills legally recognized?
This is a valid question to ask and the answer is yes as long as they are done correctly. Of course, the will must state that you are in sound mind and legal age when you drafted the will. Make sure that all pages are duly signed and that you meet the legally recognized number of witnesses whose signatures should be affixed in the document.
Nolo Quicken Willmaker and Trust 2020
This one is a new update to the Quicken Family Lawyer. It has expanded the range of draftable documents including power of attorneys, living trust and insurance claims, personal finance documents and estate management documents and arrangements.
Its major upside is that it is downloadable for only $100. It uses the same questionnaire form of the Quicken Willmaker and does not require an internet connection for the document to be done. Rating-wise, this one is a 4 out of 5.
Pros
- Compatible to Windows and Mac.
- Features at least 700 legal documents.
- Easy fill-out forms.
Cons
- Not recognized in some states like Louisiana.
- Pricey.
My Attorney Home and Business
This one has reached an esteemed status in a short span of time and with all it could offer, it is a clear 4.8 out of 5. It features over a thousand legal documents ranging from assets management, business documents and power of attorneys, wills, estate planning and more. The best part is that this one is legally recognized in all fifty states.
Aside from the easy navigate, fill-out form, it also features a built-in legal dictionary, pre-recorded legal videos and has a live legal advice button from real lawyers. You can also encrypt passwords for your documents to ensure confidentiality.
Pros
- Features legal dictionary, multimedia videos and legal advice buttons.
- Features more than 1000 legal documents.
- Features password encryption.
- Recognized in all US states.
Cons
- Only compatible to Windows OS.
Family Lawyer 2004 Deluxe Home and Business
It is certainly the cheapest will maker software in the roster for only $30. Like the others, it also works on a fill-out, questionnaire form featuring legal documents such as intellectual property rights, business arrangements, estate planning and wills. It features password encryption and video tutorials of how to file legal documents and how to make them more legally binding.
Aside from these, it also has a built-in finances and assets calculator, a worksheet for tracking properties’ values (including depreciation and appreciation rate) and access to stock quotations. Most importantly, it comes a legal dictionary. It is definitely a 5 out of 5.
Pros
- Cheap but with excellent features.
- Comes with password encryption and video tutorials.
- Comes with assets calculator and property inventories as well as stock quotes.
- Has a legal dictionary.
Cons
- Not recognized in some states.
Quicken Family Lawyer 2001
This one is considered as one of the most reputable estate planning softwares out there. Not only could you make your own last will with it but you could also draft insurance claims, healthcare directives, estate directions to dependents and beneficiaries.
It follows a questionnaire format and from there, it will convert the answers in the document that you need. For a thousand dollars, you will have free annual updates to make sure that the right state guidelines are enforced. It is a 4 out of 5.
Pros
- Free annual updates.
- Features more than 700 legal documents.
- Ease of use with fill-out forms.
Cons
- Not recognized in Canada, Louisiana and some US territories.
- Pricey.
Conclusion
These will maker software were not developed to wash out the need for a lawyer. They however, give you the opportunity to fine-tune your legal documents, fix what needs to be fixed and update what needs to be updated depending on the arising need.
