Is there a website where you can download the form for a simple last will and testament?

My in laws are poor (retired senior citizens on a very fixed income) and need to have a will and power of attorney drawn up. Need to know if there is a way to download and do it yourself. They live in Texas.

Legal forms are not usually available online because the lawyers will lose their jobs.

Each state is different on laws on this subject. Check with a CPA who might direct you on your area.

A will can be on a simple piece of paper and done without a notary or attorney.

I couldn't find any free sites, but there are several cheap sites - like as low $2.99.

http://www.socrates.com/PPCLanding.aspx?...

If your loved ones live in a city where there is a law school, contact the law school and see if they have any free clinics that do wills for the low income and seniors. Go to the law school's website for information on who to contact.

You can do a holographic will in Texas, but having an attorney put one together for you will save your family money in the long run.

It could be considered the unauthorized practice of law for you to draw up a will for you in-laws, and furthermore, if you are one of the heirs, it could tend to result in a contest of the will.

As has been suggested, if there is a law school in the area, most law schools have a legal clinic where law students (working under the supervision of a licensed attorney) could prepare wills for your inlaws. This would also make sure that the will comports to the requirements of the State of Texas.

Contrary to popular belief, lawyers actually like the do-it-yourself sites and books and programs. Lawyers earn a lot of money cleaning up the messes that people create when they try to do their own legal work.

Unfortunately, the law is complex, and the probate requirements considerably from state to state. People don't understand these requirements, and if you're not careful, you will cost your family thousands of dollars in attorney's fees later, if the wills are not properly drawn.

If there is not a free legal service, I suggest that you contact your county or state bar association and ask for a referral to a lawyer. Some county and state bar associations also have programs and panels of attorneys who will do a simple will for relatively little money. A simple will shouldn't cost a lot from an attorney anyway. In my area, about $250 to $300 would be appropriate.