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From: mattern@ncoast.ORG (Duane L. Mattern)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,misc.legal
Subject: Re: "WillMaker" software
Message-ID: <13798@ncoast.ORG>
Date: 6 Jul 89 09:56:47 GMT
References: <7705@cbnews.ATT.COM> <1989Jun29.225030.1344@lsuc.on.ca>
Organization: Cleveland Public Access UN*X, Cleveland, OH
Lines: 45

>In article <1989Jun29.225030.1344@lsuc.on.ca> 
   dave@lsuc.UUCP (David Sherman) writes:
>In article <7705@cbnews.ATT.COM> pmd@cbnews.ATT.COM (Paul Dubuc) writes:
>>I wonder if anyone has any experience with software for making and maintaining
>>a will.  In particular, I've heard about one called WillMaker, by Nolo Press.
>>Does anyone have any experience with this or any other package, or any 
>>thoughts on making up your own will vs. using a lawyer?  Thanks.

>Use a lawyer.  > (etc.... deleted)
>I would never suggest that it be used by a neophyte.  Such tools
>are excellent when used by those with legal training, but
>dangerous when you don't really know what you're doing.
>At least in Ontario, most lawyers charge relatively low
>fees for doing wills.  (They hope to make it back on
>handling the probate for the estate.)  Go see a lawyer.  > >David Sherman
>The Law Society of Upper Canada >Toronto

Gee, would you expect to hear anything different from a "Law Society"?
I've used WillMaker from Nolo Press.  It's a nice package put together
by people who want to put law back in the hands of the people.   Nolo 
does its homework when it publishes a book and WillMaker is no exception.
Nolo publishes many books and software packages on all types of law, all
with the idea of making it understandable to the "common person".
WillMaker comes with a book (some 200+ pages) and it has been updated every 
year since 1985 (sometimes with 2 updates in one year).  Certainly, the
software shouldn't be used without the book to explain things.  The book
discusses:  Introduction, About Wills Generally, Computer Wills: Are They
a Good Idea?, How to Use the WillMaker Manual, What Is in Your Estate,
Estate Planning Basics Designed to Limit Taxes and Probate Fees,
Special COnsiderations for Children, Planning for the Unexpected, What 
WillMaker Can and Cannot Be Used For, Review and Print Your Will,
Signing and Witnessing, Keeping your will up to date, Your will's
technical language explained, WillMaker User's Manual, Glossary.

I have no connections with Nolo Press except a happy customer.  
I recommend WillMaker to everyone....even lawyers ;-) 
Nolo Press, 950 Parker St. Berkeley, CA  94710    415/549-1976

P.S. Nolo publishes a newsletter.  On the cover of the summer '89 issue
"What's So Funny About Lawyers?  Laughing at Lawyers Throught the Ages"
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