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@Luta that's what I meant. Guess it didn't come across correctly.
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If you're dealing with a complex estate with investments accounts, trust(s), numerous properties, and bequests, the $1,100. cost is likely worth it.

However, an Advance Directives can be done in a Drs office, at home with downloaded forms, completed by any SW in a hospital or care care setting - and it's free. All issues and decisions should be discussed with the assigned MPOA(s) and signed by everyone with copies provided to all offices and agencies involved in medical care.

For a DPOA, if the estate is small and relatively simple, it can also be done by the above named people and means, excluding physicians. The best is to have a 'Self-Proving Affidavit' attached to the POA, meaning that it's signed by 2 uninterested parties and properly notarized. The attached will make the DPOA valid in all states if needed for later out of state property sales, portfolio access, bank accounts, and the like. My Mom's was executed at the NH she was in and it has stood up for the above-mentioned purposes.

Many online legal self-help sites allow you to do these things for free or for very minimal cost; you can do an online search for template forms (images) to download and print. Having it all done by a lawyer is easier and while costly, assures that all is done properly and everyone served with copies.
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When we were restating our Trust, doing updated POA's, all end if life docs it was more expensive then what your mom paid.

However, we were quoted 12k by a couple of attorneys and we interviewed +/-12 "Elder Law" attorneys. We ended up using a Certified Elder Law Attorney and he was 10% of the highest quotes and a thousand times more knowledgeable. He is part of a firm that will be there long after we are gone, that is important to us.

I recommend interviewing attorneys just like you would any other employee, because they are suppose to be working for you, in your best interests. Finding the best qualified just makes sense.

I think the price really depends on too many factors to know if it is fair or average in your state.
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My husband and I have what I term to be simple. We own our home, have 401’s , checking savings , that’s it. I found forms online , filled them out online. The online company I used , had an option to mail me the documents. I then had them signed and witnessed by a notary republic at our bank. Worked for us. Some will say you need an attorney, and you may very well need one. Just wanted to tell ou what we did. I am comfortable with our decision.
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Luta65 Dec 2022
babs,

What makes everything truly simple is a plan to avoid probate by assigning a beneficiary and one alternate to every asset, incl vehicle title and a TOD (transfer on death) on the bank account(s).

My folks did their own too and everything was in good order. If only everyone were as pro-active in having everything properly taken care of for the 'just in case' issues that life throws our way.
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I asked my sister who works for a RE attorney (we're in SW FL) if $1,100 was reasonable for a POA & advance directives. She thought it was a bit pricey but they are expensive to begin with. My mother has a DPOA & revocable living trust. Advance directives are important especially if life support or 'heroic' measures are needed to keep you alive.
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Luta65 Dec 2022
Catskie,

The Advance Directives are almost more important for those who DON'T want the heroics that automatically kick in with any medical emergency. MDs and emergency personnel rely on and follow the AD documents and they provide needed guidance for acting MPOA.
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anitaf5935, good for you thinking ahead about getting legal documents. Wish more people would think that way.

Price depends what type of Attorney you would use, and how complex is your Estate. If you use a specialist, such as an Elder Law Attorney, that Attorney will charge you more. I went with such an Attorney and she keeps us up-to-date on any changes in State or Federal Laws which would affect our current legal documents, which would require updating.

Price also depends on location. I live in a large metro area, so costs would be higher. Plus I used an Attorney who is part of a large law firm. I did that so that if my Attorney should retire or move, the firm can assign me another Elder Law Attorney. And the firm has other specialized Attorneys in case we should need their expertise.

I am not a big fan of one using on-line legal documents. For example, my Power of Attorney is 18 pages long. Doubt if a on-line document would be that complex, covering all bases. There are also other legal documents that you should have that are very important. Don't know if an on-line website would discuss this with you.

My parents had used their real estate Attorney to do their POA and Wills. I finally read their Wills which were older than dirt, and had a lot of landmines. I quickly got them to my Elder Law Attorney. Their Estate was complex to a point where a Will wouldn't be enough, they needed a Revocable Trust. Whew, that was a close call.

There's the old saying "you get what you pay for". Check with your friends to see what Attorneys they had used.
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That does seem high for just POA paperwork. I live in NC and just had my will, advanced directives and both medical and durable POA's done a few months ago by a reputable lawyer here in town and it only cost me $760.
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Depends on the state. Some states have forms you can download. Use google.
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We just had ours done living Will, Last will and testament, medical and financial POA. First was quoted $700 each me and hubby. But since was just updating an old will and I explained our small income I was quoted $600 for both. This was lawyer that specialized in this area. He was able to bring certain areas to our attention that was not thought of before and even corrected my missed spelled name on our estate Deed. This was in Kansas.
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JoAnn29 Dec 2022
Why the need for a living will? Moms was incorporated into her Medical POA.
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This is like asking how much does a car cost.
A lot depends on how detailed/complicated , what "extras" you want it also depends on how experienced the attorney is and how large the law firm is. Not to mention where the offices are. Large city, higher rents, small town, lower rent
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