Wife and I just had a baby (our first) on Monday. We need to update the wills etc., but the attorney that we used for that is in Texas and we now live in Oklahoma City. She suggested we find an OK attorney. We have succession of guardians figured, but haven't put anything on paper.

Should I just look up an attorney online? I don't really want to spend too much money, but I also don't want to leave our daughter (or her guardian) in the lurch.

Look up firms in your area that do estate law. Not someone who lists 30 specialties and Estate/Probate is one of them. You need someone at an associate level (not a partner due the lack of complexity in your particular needs now and the 3 times higher hourly fee). Firms with board certified estate lawyers would be best. Ask some coworkers/friends/family as well if they like someone up there. Good luck and good for you in being proactive.

That sounds exactly like what I need. Thank you Dynamite.

Dynamite08 said:

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Look up firms in your area that do estate law. Not someone who lists 30 specialties and Estate/Probate is one of them. You need someone at an associate level (not a partner due the lack of complexity in your particular needs now and the 3 times higher hourly fee). Firms with board certified estate lawyers would be best. Ask some coworkers/friends/family as well if they like someone up there. Good luck and good for you in being proactive.

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That's generally good advice, although what the OP described is very simple and sounds like it doesn't require much expertise.

I got a $2k quote for similar services (Will, Med POA, Durable POA, HIPAA, etc) from an estate attorney and was curious if that was within reason. It's going to tie into some trusts that are being quoted separately so I'm not looking to nitpick, just want to know that it's in the ballpark. If it's not, I'll look to unbundle.

congratulations, btw!

Football&Finance said:

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I got a $2k quote for similar services (Will, Med POA, Durable POA, HIPAA, etc) from an estate attorney and was curious if that was within reason. It's going to tie into some trusts that are being quoted separately so I'm not looking to nitpick, just want to know that it's in the ballpark. If it's not, I'll look to unbundle.

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My opinion is that it's a little on the high side but not completely unreasonable if you feel confident that the attorney will be someone that you can grow with as well. In other words, they are knowledgeable and can help you when/if your situation becomes more complex.

Nactown is right. That's pretty close on price. Don't stop services with an attorney you believe is qualified solely based on price (unless they're wildly expensive, which he/she is not). These type of documents are something you don't want to screw up and need to be done by someone qualified to do it.

If you're looking for a recommendation, my wife's uncle practices in Oklahoma City and does estate law. PM me and I can get you his details.

Thanks nactownag and dynamite08. It's certainly a hefty check to write (when coupled with the trusts) but it's easier when y'all are verifying I'm not being taken to the cleaners in the name of "peace of mind" for my family. And to both of your points, I am comfortable with their expertise and their long-term approach to client relationships as well as the legislative/enforcement surveillance and annual amendments they provide.

My wife and I recently paid $1200 total for both of our wills, power of attorney, living will, etc. Money well spent.

An aside - we are currently dealing first-hand with the side effects of a poorly-done will. My in-laws passed away in 2013 (FIL) and July of this year (MIL). They used an online service to create their wills, and it has cost the family dearly (thousands of dollars, emotional stress, and countless hours). My wife is the executor of the estate, and the trouble we've had because of their online wills is more than I'm willing to type. The attorney who probated their estate (and subsequently did our wills) took one look at my in-law's wills and said "no competent attorney would have ever written [the will] in this way." The point I'm trying to make is: this is not something to be done on the cheap. Hire a competent attorney to manage this, and keep it up to date as time goes on.

cohibasymas said:

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My wife and I recently paid $1200 total for both of our wills, power of attorney, living will, etc. Money well spent.

An aside - we are currently dealing first-hand with the side effects of a poorly-done will. My in-laws passed away in 2013 (FIL) and July of this year (MIL). They used an online service to create their wills, and it has cost the family dearly (thousands of dollars, emotional stress, and countless hours). My wife is the executor of the estate, and the trouble we've had because of their online wills is more than I'm willing to type. The attorney who probated their estate (and subsequently did our wills) took one look at my in-law's wills and said "no competent attorney would have ever written [the will] in this way." The point I'm trying to make is: this is not something to be done on the cheap. Hire a competent attorney to manage this, and keep it up to date as time goes on.

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I wish this post could be stickied at the top of the forum to be used for every legal thread that divulges into a few guys saying "legal zoom is the best option".



Sorry for your frustrating situation.

Football&Finance said:

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I got a $2k quote for similar services (Will, Med POA, Durable POA, HIPAA, etc) from an estate attorney and was curious if that was within reason. It's going to tie into some trusts that are being quoted separately so I'm not looking to nitpick, just want to know that it's in the ballpark. If it's not, I'll look to unbundle.

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We paid $2500 for a trust and the works. A will was about half that from our attorney, but she was a solo attorney, and specialized in estate, nothing else.