Wills and trusts are some of the ways individuals protect their estates and transfer any assets to their designated beneficiaries. This includes appointing someone to oversee the operation of your business. Making these decisions and putting them down in writing will ensure your wishes will be carried out should you become incapacitated or upon your death.
Wills and trusts software allows you to complete these forms without the expense of a lawyer’s service. The important thing is to find the estate planning software that addresses your personal and business needs. Suppliers of estate software have made acquiring the necessary wills, trusts and estate software education and training simple. Before selecting will and trust software you should:
1. Evaluate the benefits of will software, trust software and combination products.
2. Look for trusts and estate software that comes with tutorials or do-it-yourself instruction.
3. Search for providers of wills and trusts software who offer online technical assistance.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Consider the advantages of will software, trust software and estate software
Estate planning software comes in different forms. Some products focus specifically on wills, others on trusts and some offer combination packages. Understanding the pros and cons of each type will help you identify the best product for you and your business.
I recommend: National Law Forms features software for wills and overall estate planning that is user-friendly. Products come with simple instructions, sample forms and access to an “Information Hotline.”
FORE! Trust Software specializes in trusts, irrevocable trusts and Medicaid trusts. Educate yourself on using the trust software by taking advantage of the product’s free 30-day trial.
Take advantage of the tutorials that come with estate planning software
Most wills, trusts and estate software comes with easy-to-follow instructions and tutorials.
I recommend: LawFirmSoftware offers its users access to an extensive database of product tutorials and technical articles that users may access via email or by speaking with a customer service representative. All estate planning software comes with one year of product support.
Standard Legal also features easy-to-use software for trusts. Products come with step-by-step instructions. Free technical support and attorney referrals are available to customers.
One Source Trust & Estate Planning also provides free online Internet training and hands-on instruction for its trust and estate software products.
Look for suppliers of estate planning software who provide legal and technical support
Most will and trust software is self-explanatory. When it comes to those more complex issues, however, having technical assistance at your fingertips is a "must."
I recommend: Will software, such as
Quicken WillMaker Plus, provides wide-ranging online legal manuals and online technical support for its users.
Nolo features a variety of estate planning software, all of which offers customers free technical assistance.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Verify that the will and trust software is valid in your state, up-to-date with your state's laws and offers free poduct updates for at least one year.
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