[bethanta]

This is one of the things on my to do list before the baby gets here, and I have NO CLUE what I'm doing when it comes to this.<br><br>
Anyone have any suggestions on any part of this? (I'm literally clueless) I don't know when to start, who to go to get it set up, etc.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/help.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="help">

 

[craftymcgluestick]

This is such a good reminder, <b>bethanta</b>! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> My husband and I have talked about this before, but it's definitely time to take action.<br><br>
My mom gave me a free little booklet from a hospital about advanced directives--very simple to do and I bet most hospitals offer the booklet--that we are going to do as well.<br><br>
For a will involving significant amounts of property or investments or a mix of beneficiaries, I do recommend getting a lawyer. For a simple will, here is a web site that has a lot of free forms to create your own legally-binding will to match your situation (married couple only, married with minor children, married with adult and minor children, etc.).<br><br><a href="http://www.free-legal-document.com/how-to-write-a-will.html" target="_blank">http://www.free-legal-document.com/h...te-a-will.html</a><br><br>
Good luck and thanks again for the reminder!

 

[Just1More]

We just always have the base legal office do one for us...so I don't have much advice on a will.<br><br>
BUT<br><br>
In our state, and there are others, if you and your husband are, say, in a car accident, and are temporarily unable to care for your child, the STATE gets your child. Even if Grandma is right there. Unless you have a childcare power of attorney, your best friend can't do a thing.<br><br>
So, I recommend having a childcare power of attorney. We travel a lot, so we actually have 4 of them. That way, no matter where we are, we know that a family member will get our children, even in a temporary situation.

 

[kryztuh]

I have an advanced directive/living will and downloaded the forms from my state agency. You can see Maryland's forms <a href="http://www.oag.state.md.us/healthpol/adirective.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Your state may haven something similar based on your state laws?

 

[RedOakMomma]

There's a service called Pre-Paid Legal (a legal service you join for a monthly fee) that will do one free lawyer-guided will for you per year. I know some people have joined, done the will service, then dropped out. The will is still legally binding. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[isfa]

I am very skeptical of using forms for your will. Stay away from them!!! You really need to talk to a lawyer. There are a thousand ways that those forms will fail you, and you won't be around to fix it. Probate laws are very complicated and vary by state. You can find lawyers who will prepare a basic will for a couple hundred dollars. It is worth it for the peace of mind. You can get referrals through your state bar association or just start asking your friends for a recommendation.<br>
As for the health care directive, they are very important, too. Don't assume that your spouse will be able to speak on your behalf if you can't. Remember Terri Schiavo?<br>
Good luck!