Family Lawyer 2002 Deluxe

Rating:
Summary: Good Software
Review: Good software, but I really did not understand why Broderbund put out this and the WillWriter 2002. It appears it had almost the same number of documents and it uses the exact same software. I got the more expensive version, because I thought they would have more choices on how to put the Will together. Unless you need something odd like the 401k document, get the WillWriter 2002 if you are only interested in writing a Will. In my opinion, they should only put out the Family Lawyer set, at the price of the WillWriter. Then I could have given it a fantastic review! Otherwise, see my comments below for the software review (the same I said about the WillWriter 2002).

This was a good program that walks through most simple legal documents. I did the common Will and found it straightforward. The program steps you through questions and allows you to jump around by clicking on any part of the document. There is reasonable flexibility to saving and editing, but it was not always obvious. It is great it was written for both the PC and the Mac (I appreciate companies that will make software that runs on Apple computers) and it was easy to install and run, which is a real plus, but it still appeared to be written by a "windoze" programmer. The odd thing was they put the menus on a separate bar and did not use the Apple menus bar at the top (by habit I always went to that to save, quit, etc. and it was not there). What I did not like was that you could not see some of the wording on the forms easily. I did not like the need to enter a name and general info before getting started on any topic. However, once you got going it was not that bad and you could import a filled form (i.e. my Will) to another (i.e., my wife's Will), keeping all the common information. You do get an option to edit the file as text, but they really caution against that because you might mess up the "legal wording and format". It will do rich text format and you can edit that in Word or another text editor. I was hoping for a few varied examples of things done in a Will to "pick and choose from," or other suggestions/alternatives, but there was none. It seems like all the software and Internet help says "do it this way" or get a lawyer!

Rating:
Summary: Simply terrible
Review: I see people comparing Family Lawyer and Quicken Lawyer and get the feeling that Broderbund is doing a bit of "negative marketing" against Quicken.

I've used both, and Quicken Lawyer far and away exceeded Family Lawyer. Family Lawyer doesn't catch mistakes, isn't up to date and provides several useless forms (like "Personal Fact Sheet" and "Letter to School"). Also, information is sparse and generic, often giving me a form and not showing how to use it.

As a do-it-yourself guy, I picked up Family Lawyer and almost gave up because every time I took documents to my attorney to review, he found dozens of mistakes. Only once I started using Quicken did those mistakes disappear. Thanks Quicken!

Rating:
Summary: This program is a waste of time and money
Review: I wish I could return this software and get a refund! Having just gone through a divorce and trying to keep my business afloat, I figured I could skip my lawyer and do my own revised estate plan. So I went ahead, filled out estate-planning documents and took it to my lawyer for what was suppossed to be an hour's review. Turns out the forms had a lot of legal errors which made them pretty useless. I still can't afford an attorney so I'm trying out the alternatives next.

Rating:
Summary: Great Legal Eagal
Review: Such a great help. I recently purchased the "Quicken Lawyer 2002, and must admit for the price I paid I was extremely dissapointed. Broderdunds Family Lawyer is "outstanding". Whether you need to create a will, a living trust, child-care agreement, trusts, health, education, real estates, selling your car etc, this is the software you need. I have recently made a lot of personal transactions requiring legal documentation and am happy to say this software has saved my family lots of $$$. It was easy to use, easy to understand, and saved us a ton of money. It can use some very minor improvements, (not worth mentioning) but it's well worth the investment.

Rating:
Summary: The description of this item is Misleading
Review: The ad Amazon printed for this item includes "real estate" in the description of the forms included. However, according to the box description, there are only trivial worksheets and rental forms included. No real estate sales forms, no buyer offer form, no forms for seller disclosure, lead paint disclosure, or other standard real estate forms. I can't vouch for the rest of the program cuz I returned it unopened when the box arrived. To me, it was worthless.

Rating:
Summary: The description of this item is Misleading
Review: The ad Amazon.com printed for this item includes "real estate" in the description of the forms included. However, according to the box description, there are only trivial worksheets and rental forms included. No real estate sales forms, no buyer offer form, no forms for seller disclosure, lead paint disclosure, or other standard real estate forms. I can't vouch for the rest of the program cuz I returned it unopened when the box arrived. To me, it was worthless.

Rating:
Summary: Good Software
Review: The Broderbund Family Lawyer helps you determine which legal documents you may need, explains your options, and walks you through writing the documents (fill in the blank). It also makes your documents specific to the state laws pertaining to you. I have had my documents reviewed by lawyers and never found to have any real problems. So helpful to have around for last minute needs - like child care issues & health care directives. Each document you prepare includes a "how to make it legal" pointers on executing the document.

Rating:
Summary: Great do it yourself lawyer
Review: The Broderbund Family Lawyer helps you determine which legal documents you may need, explains your options, and walks you through writing the documents (fill in the blank). It also makes your documents specific to the state laws pertaining to you. I have had my documents reviewed by lawyers and never found to have any real problems. So helpful to have around for last minute needs - like child care issues & health care directives. Each document you prepare includes a "how to make it legal" pointers on executing the document.