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PaperclipPerfector  1d ago (text post)   909 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 18, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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So, anyone here have any experience with either using an online service like Legal Zoom or Trust and Will the like to create a trust, will, medical directives/POA, etc, or alternately going it alone with DIY? We had an unexpected death in our family several months ago, and as a result it's kinda lit a fire under my ass to actually get something on the books instead of just a vague, soon-ish thought in my head. I decided to check with a local legal group that specializes in this, but their price tag is >$5k, when the online guys are <20% of that. I know most of what goes into these things is boilerplate, but I also know that it's not unheard of for there to be additional trouble with online shops and DIY kits, too, so I'd be interested to hear others' experience with things like this.

but their price tag is >$5k

That's crazy. I went to a local lawyer and paid $130 for will and power of attorney. I know that it's a good deal and my case was simple, but $5000 seems like way too much.

Right?! I was ready to pay up to $2k for personal service but 5 seems nutty to me.

See if your job has an "employee assistance program" or anything like that. Sometimes they either give you free online tools, or an hour free consultation with a professional or something.

They don't, but I wish they did!

your job

(or your union)

Ha! As much as some folks in /r/sysadmin would love for IT work to be unionized, that's not happening in my corner of the Earth anytime soon!

It might be worth it to check if your state allows holographic wills

Alas, we really need to set up a trust as well as a will, though this would be a decent stopgap for sure!

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