How things have turned out? What are you, 80?   You have lots of time for things to change.
In looking back over my life so far, I can safely say that when I was 20, 30 and 40, I would have been WAY OFF in predicting where I was going to be at the end of each decade. 
	
 
		
		
you might even be able to get a paralegal to do the will for way under $1K.
I sure hope so, or we're going to go with the method I suggested last night--something scrawled on the back of a McDonald's receipt.
	
 
		
		
The cell phones in the movies from 1997 hurt the worst. Absolute worst.
Well, you know except for actual pain. But, still, a lot.
	
 
		
		
We had a basic will done, including a child, for $200-300.  Uh, since our second child is now 5, it might be a good time to update that will...
	
 
		
		
You have lots of time for things to change.
I'm an overweight smoker. According to all the handwringing literature, I died 5 years ago.
	
 
		
		
you might even be able to get a paralegal to do the will for way under $1K. 
Uh, no.  Not unless the paralegal wants to open themselves up to criminal and civil liability for practicing law without a license.  
Connie, LegalZoom is a good choice.  Or shop rates for an attorney.  Get powers of attorney, durable medical powers of attorney, and living wills prepared too.  Trust me on this.  Rob died without a will, and I don't have a power of attorney.  It's been a mess.  He does not have a ridiculously complicated estate, but it's going to cost me $1,000+ to get through intestate probate. I have an attorney doing the hard stuff, but I'm handling a lot of things on my own.  If he handled everything, I'd be paying double.  
Oh, and without a will, people will end up in the line of inheritance regardless of the individual's wishes.  I am entitled to the first $15,000 of his estate, but only half of the remainder.  Because he had no children, but his parents survived him, they are entitled to the remaining 50% above $15,000.  I don't begrudge them this, but it was not expected.  
	
 
		
		
Second degree murder: [link]
	
 
		
		
oops!  well then.  thanks for the clarification.
	
 
		
		
No worries, le n.  Even though paralegals have legal training, everything they do must be supervised by a licensed attorney.  The same goes for law students.  
I'm just a fanatic about this right now.  Outside of Rob's actual death, his dying without a will is the absolute most stressful thing to me right now.  It causes no small amount of anger, even though I *know* he didn't intend for it to be this way.  
	
 
		
		
I'm an overweight smoker. According to all the handwringing literature, I died 5 years ago.
You're an awfully pretty zombie.