From the Archives: Watching the Web

Several Web Sites Can Help You
Prepare a Will Without a Lawyer

By ALEX FRANGOS
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Wills & Estates

LegalZoom

Most Americans don't have a will, but the terrorist attacks have prompted more people to consider drawing one. The Internet offers several low-cost, do-it-yourself sites.

This one provides a standard last will and testament for $55. To get started, fill out a form that includes your personal information, your heirs, an executor and any instructions for funeral arrangements. You can also make a bequest of sentimental items to specific people.

Once you complete the form and pay the fee, the site mails you the will on acid-free bond paper. Each will is reviewed by a legally trained staff member to make sure it complies with the law. The will becomes official when you and three witnesses sign the document. www.legalzoom.com

DoYourOwnWill

A cheaper alternative is DoYourOwnWill, which will draft a will for only $8.95. The site is a little less flexible in terms of what sorts of provisions you can put in your will. It also won't review the document.

To draft a will, you need to supply your marital status, number of children, name of executor, main beneficiary and any specific bequests.

Within 24 hours of completing the process, you'll receive via e-mail a final copy and instructions on how to sign the will. You'll have to print out the will yourself. www.doyourownwill.com

Nolo

If you aren't ready to draft a will online, you might consider this site. It has a helpful estate-planning section where you can review subjects such as introduction to wills, probates and executors, living trusts, estate and gift taxes, life insurance, funeral planning and other final arrangements, health-care directives and power of attorney.

The site doesn't offer online will drafting, though you can buy Nolo's CD-ROM suite of legal applications called Lawyer 2002, which includes do-it-yourself wills along with other personal legal documents that you can fill out on your computer. Lawyer 2002 costs $41.97 plus shipping. www.nolo.com

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