QUESTION: I would like to make my last will and testament and would like to know if I can do it myself, or do I need to hire a lawyer?
ANSWER: Almost everyone needs a will, but only about one-third of Americans have prepared one. Having a last will and testament is important because it ensures your money and property will be distributed to the people you want to receive it after your death.
If you die without a will (aka dying “intestate”), your estate will be settled in accordance with state law. Details vary by state, but assets typically are distributed using a hierarchy of survivors, i.e., first to a spouse, then to children, then your siblings, and so on.
You also need to be aware that certain accounts take precedence over a will. If you jointly own a home or a bank account, for example, the house and the funds in the account will go to the joint holder, even if your will directs otherwise. Similarly, retirement accounts and life insurance policies are distributed to the beneficiaries you designate, so it is important to keep them up to date, too.
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Not necessarily. Creating a will with a do-it-yourself software program might be acceptable in some cases, particularly if you have a simple, straightforward estate and an uncomplicated family situation. Otherwise, it’s best to seek professional advice. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.
If you need help finding someone, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org), the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC.org) and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC.org) websites are good resources that have online directories to help you search.
Costs will vary depending on your location and the complexity of your situation, but you can expect to pay somewhere from $200 to $1,000 or more to get your will made. To help you save, shop around and get price quotes from several firms. And before you meet with an attorney, make a detailed list of your assets and accounts to help make your visit more efficient.
If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see FindLegalHelp.org) to find low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at (800) 677-1116 for a referral.
If you are interested in a do-it-yourself will, some top options to consider are Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust (Nolo.com, $99) and Trust & Will (TrustandWill.com, $159). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for free at FreeWill.com or DoYourOwnWill.com.
It’s also recommended that if you do create your own will, have a lawyer review it to make sure it covers all the important bases.
Once your will is written, the best place to keep it is either in a fireproof safe or file cabinet at home, in a safe deposit box in your bank or online at sites like Everplans.com. But make sure your executor knows where it is and has access to it. Or, if a professional prepares your will, keep the original document at your lawyer’s office. Also, update your will if your family or financial circumstances change, or if you move to another state.
6 things you might be cleaning too often
1. Furniture slipcovers
Unless you have messy little ones who use your pristine, white kitchen chair covers as target practice for their SpaghettiOs, you don’t need to be washing your slipcovers every week. It’s best to spot-clean them first, and if the stain is bad, you can always throw them into the washer on a rinse-only cycle. Be sure to always check your slipcover tags for specific care instructions.
You can get by with washing your slipcovers — yes, even the couch and pillow covers — about once or twice a year, according to Reviewed.com. Washing them too frequently could result in premature wear on the fabric.
2. Carpets and upholstered furniture
While you may think that your carpets are due for a deep-clean every few months, Bissell recommends that you clean your carpets at least twice a year. If you have an especially high-traffic carpeted area in your home, or pets and children, you may want to deep-clean every quarter of the year.
Upholstered furniture can also be cleaned on a similar schedule to carpets. Factors like pets and children may increase the frequency at which you need to deep-clean your upholstered furniture. If you’re uncomfortable deep-cleaning your furniture yourself, you can always schedule services for your carpets and furniture around the same time frame.
3. Ceiling fans
Although dusting your fans every week with the rest of your cleaning routine is a great way to prevent excess buildup, you don’t need to deep-clean your ceiling fan at the same rate. You can clean your ceiling fan with a soapy cloth once a month, Beth McGee, a cleaning expert and author, tells The Washington Post.
Especially in warmer months, when your fan is used more frequently, a weekly dusting is a good way to prevent built-up dust when it comes time for that monthly deep-clean, according to Home Depot.
Home Depot also suggests that box fans should be deep-cleaned at least twice a year, even if they receive regular dusting.
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Who knew there was such a thing as cleaning too much?
5. Clothes
It goes without saying that any clothes directly against your body — socks and underwear — should be washed after each use. Clothes that see a lot of sweat or dirt should also be washed after each use.
Your other clothes, like blouses, jeans and sweaters, can last a few more wears before needing to be washed, according to Whirlpool. This will help prolong the life of your clothes and maybe even cut down your water bill a bit.
6. Dirty dishes
If you pre-rinse your dishes, your dishwasher won’t sense the food enzymes that may still be on your dishes, which results in a shorter cleaning cycle and a less-thorough clean on your dishes.
Not to mention that pre-rinsing dishes uses lots of water. This tip may be the best of them all. If we’re being honest with ourselves, no one really likes doing the dishes anyway.
(Southern Living is the ultimate insiders’ guide to Southern culture, recipes, travel and events. Packed with recipes, decorating tips, entertaining ideas, and travel guides, Southern Living delivers the best of the South right to you. Online at www.southernliving.com.)
(For more information, contact Kathryn Weber through her website, www.redlotusletter.com.)
Jim Miller is editor of the Savvy Senior. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit
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