I was able to get the book and software at the library. Fully functional.
..
Main thing seems to be to get it started and get it completed. I've used the book to get something in place. I kept it simple. Over the next three years I'll try to network to find a good attorney, which I expect will be an involved process. I'll be glad that I already have at least something in place when I do that.
I decided I'll take this approach for now. Get something in place soon so I can find a trustworthy (no pun intended) attorney. Probably going to use Quicken Willmaker & Trust for now as they have up to date state forms.
+1 to using Transfer on Death for your home if your state allows it.
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/avoid-probate-book/chapter5-1.html
Thanks for sharing this. I found out that Oklahoma does allow TODD (Transfer on Death Deeds). (And the Quicken Willmaker & Trust software can generate this new deed I believe, for my specific state of Oklahoma.)
For now I'll just setup the home in a TTOD deed to a single heir -- that's how I wanted it anyways.
I'll also have a will as a backup in case my TTOD heir dies. My heir will be the executor of the will but if that person dies then I'll make my brother the executor and heir. If the TTOD heir dies, before I die, then I'll make sure to make a change a re-file with the county clerk making my brother the new TTOD heir.
I have all my checking & savings accounts, U.S. Savings Bonds, retirement & investment accounts all setup to POD to my heir. Some accounts allow for secondary beneficiaries in case primary beneficiary dies, but most just have a single POD; so I'll just make sure to update all these accounts and the TTOD if my primary heir dies or if I change my mind.
The Will will be for all the personal property in the house and car, which aren't worth a lot and I doubt they'd even have to go through probate. At most my total debt upon death will be like $1000 in credit card debt for the current month since I buy everything on credit card for cash back bonuses -- paying them off in full each month. (For now I have $41K in mortgage debt but plan to pay that off in full over the next 3 years; hopefully I don't die before then because I fear mortgage company trying to foreclose on home before my heir can gather up the remaining cash to pay off the mortgage.)
I might setup a trust later.. especially if I want to start adding an additonal $10k per year into Series I Savings Bonds. I might use quicken for this as well, I dunno. Check out this link with more info on investing an additional $10k into Series I Savings Bonds:
https://thefinancebuff.com/buy-more-i-bonds-treasury-direct-trust.html---
I just need to get somethign in place now and so TTOD on home and POD on all the accounts seems like it would work well since it'll all going to one heir.