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

Don't buy WillMaker toward the end of the year unless you are sure you will complete all your documents prior to the end of the year. Printing a document in 2008 with WillMaker2007 caused the software to produce a statement on the first page to the effect that I was using an out-of-date product and it may not comply with law. Of course, the updates from WillMaker cost more than purchasing WillMaker 2008 from Amazon.
WillMaker does a good job producing the required documents and is user-friendly. The will it produces has built-in obsolescence that is not necessary. (ie. If you are predeceased by your children, Willmaker allows only those grandchildren you have "named" to be contingent beneficiaries. This is fine unless a new grandchild is born after you've prepared your will, in which case you have to prepare a new will. This inconvenience could have been eliminated with the proper language by Willmaker, but they want you to have to purchase another year's version of the software.) Still, the software does the job and is cheaper than an attorney.

Book came with CD-rom cracked. One call to Nolo, even though I bought from Amazon, and they are mailing me a new CD-rom and emailing me the program. Less than five minutes on the phone and so pleasant. That kind of service is rare these days. Hope the product proves as good as the customer service.

Not a substitute for law school but clearly answers the call for a mainstream approach to standard legal needs for most common issues. It will also broaden the basic technical knowledge required to understand basic legal aspects. Without a doubt not only a good "reference" guide but also a useful tool. Highly recommend it.

The book offers a great overview of various estate-planning issues and is organized to let you skip those sections that don't pertain to you. I was able to draft a simple will in about 30 minutes.

Excellent program for anyone writing a will, living will, living trust and powers of attorney. It's easy and can be updated anytime. Just do your work stop and think about things then come back and do some more until completed. You have a complete review at the end before you have it notarized at a bank instead of being ripped off by a lawyer. Everything is saved until you want to update for changes in your future. The program makes you aware of many additional things such as your property, estate and advice on beneficiaries. This Willmaker 2008 takes the guess work out of everything and it is not rocket science. I have compared my finished documents to other relatives who have paid $4,000 and more for the exact same thing. If you make $200k or less...forget the lawyers and save your money. It's so easy...I give it 5 stars. What a relief to have this done and at my fingertips for the future if needed.