MM or cheap - free wills through EAP

[Deleted]

Sigh. I called my EAP weeks ago because I heard they hook you up with a free will and we don't have wills. They told me it would take a while but that a lawyer would be contacting me.

Some other third party vendor contacted me today. I guess they are the people who find the lawyers for the EAP. He gave me the number of the lawyer, their address, phone number, etc. He told me myself and my husband are eligible for a free 30 minute consultation, free "basic" wills (whatever that means) and if I need further legal assistance it is discounted 25%. He said to say I was referred by Company Name.

I looked up the lawyer and the firm just to do my due diligence. It looks fine. Specializes in wills/personal injury etc. No red flags. I call them up and the person they transferred me to was basically like "we haven't approved you yet, who gave you this number?" :-|

I explained that the dude just called me and said this was my free referral and I didn't know about the business end of things. She said that the EAP isn't willing to meet their rates and they are still negotiating. She also said since I'm pregnant I will need a trust and she is going to go back to the EAP (or the middle man I don't know) and see if that's covered.

So..whatever, I can pay for a will and/or a trust but I want my free one. Should I still stick it out with these people even though they seemed pretty unprofessional on the phone? I don't have complicated assets.

And if so, what should I know about wills and trusts to make sure I'm not missing anything? I have skipped every MM thread on this topic.

[flygirl22]

Hm. I would probably wait it out. Was the person rude?

It sounds like they just haven't finished negotiations with your compnay for payment so, understandable, cannot handle your request at the moment.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2013 16:49:49 GMT -5 flygirl22 said:

Hm. I would probably wait it out. Was the person rude?

Not rude so much as "who the heck are you?" I just don't think she had to tell me every detail of something that has nothing to do with me, you know? She could have just taken down my info. I guess I'll wait and see what happens.

[pamela]

If they insist that you must have a trust or they won't do a basic will for you, I'd find someone else.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2013 16:57:16 GMT -5 pamela said:

If they insist that you must have a trust or they won't do a basic will for you, I'd find someone else.

So how does a basic will work when you have a minor child? Can I just say "everything goes to any minor children?"

I probably learned this 10 years ago.

[ladyk]

You don't want everything to go to the minor child directly. They have no legal standing and a guardian would have to be appointed by the court. A trust is set up so your assets pour over upon your demise and the trustee runs it (aka hands over the cash)

*not legal advice*

[ladyk]

Plus do you really want an 18 year old to get ahold of a ton of cash? You can set up the trust so that there are disbursements at certain age or college/military rank levels.

[Deleted]

I would just wait it out. From what you posted, it doesn't really sound unprofessional to me.

[Deleted]

Not a lawyer, but from my understanding, With just a will everything will still have to go to probate, so your kid's guardian will not have access to your money immediately.

With a trust, the money should be available quickly.

I would get your free will and then find a better lawyer for a trust.

[LoveTrains]

NQB, aren't you a lawyer?!