Do you have legal aid through work?

[Deleted]

And if you do, do you like it? What have you used it for?

My employer is starting to offer it, and I think I'm going to sign up. We need a will and I need to change my name on our house deed (it is still in my maiden name, which to my understanding isn't a problem but it will likely need to be changed before we sell, I think). We're not planning to sell our house this year and it is unlikely there will be any other major legal issues, but you never know.

Do you think this is a worthwhile benefit for your average person, or just another thing to waste money on (like unnecessary insurance)?

[Deleted]

Unless you count going into a partner's office and asking for help.. no

I have extremely limited knowledge of these type of programs, but I'd be weary just because you probably dont get to choose your own attorney. Whether it is worthwhile depends how much it costs, and what benefits you can get from it.

[Deleted]

Nov 12, 2012 14:02:11 GMT -5 Mrs.flang said:

I had it at my old job and I only signed up for it when I knew we would be house hunting. We used it for our lawyer in the closing process and then I dropped it the next year. It was cheap and I think it saved us a couple hundred dollars. But I wouldn't get it just to have it if I didn't have a specific purposed like you mentioned.

Do you know how much it will cost over the year vs the cost of setting up a will?

It is just under $10 a paycheck, so about $260 a year.

I think a will would cost at least that, but I'm not sure how much more than that since ours should be pretty basic at this point.

It also mentions "living will" but I haven't done the research to find out if that's really something that would have a separate (significant) cost or if that's something included in a regular will.

I have never in my life hired a lawyer otherwise, so that's my only hesitation! I guess I could try it for a year and quit if I don't use it otherwise.

[pamela]

Don't have it, but as an aside, I didn't need to change my name on the deed before we sold the house. I just signed everything with the name that was on the deed/loan paperwork. It was up the notary to confirm (via marriage license and DL) that I was indeed that person as well. There was also a form in the package that listed every name I might have ever been known by.

[rubytue]

Nov 12, 2012 14:20:34 GMT -5 pamela said:

Don't have it, but as an aside, I didn't need to change my name on the deed before we sold the house. I just signed everything with the name that was on the deed/loan paperwork. It was up the notary to confirm (via marriage license and DL) that I was indeed that person as well. There was also a form in the package that listed every name I might have ever been known by.

Was just about to post the same thing. I just had to sign things a couple different ways. Like I think I signed most of the paperwork under my maiden name. Or maybe both names. It was awhile ago.

[StJess80]

It's being offered this year for the first time through MetLaw. I am not opting in. I have a will, so no need there. Also, I work at a law library, and 4 of the librarians have their JD, so if I have a question, they are always willing to help. Actually, I just asked them for help w/ some name change stuff for Alissa and it was super easy. I think Met Law charges $18 a month. Not worth it for me.

[scsarah]

We have it offered through work - I signed up for it one year, and thought it was AWFUL. We paid about $14 a month, and I wanted it for doing our wills, like you. I emailed/called multiple lawyers and their offices, and stated what I was calling for, and never got any type of response back. I made several complaints to the plan as well as our benefits office, but nothing ever got done.

YMMV, of course, but I don't think it was worth it.

[drloretta]

I had it at my old job and did it for one year. We used that year to do our wills.

I hated it. We were limited in who we could use (in a town swimming with lawyers) and I couldn't stand the guy we got. It was more or less a waste of $ for us.

[thedutchgirl]

Also, keep in mind that it may be a violation of your mortgage to change your name on the deed--which would effectively require reconveying the property to yourself and your husband.

As others have said, it isn't necessary for selling.