Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 [Old Version]

by Nolo

Product Features

• Create a legal will, living trust, living will and much more in minutes.
• Simple step-by-step interview -- answer the questions, print and sign!
• Documents reflect your needs and your state's laws (not valid in Louisiana)
• Built-in legal manual answers your questions in plain English.
• Double checks your documents for common mistakes.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000AA87JG
• Item model number: WQP6R
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 14, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,652 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #15 in Software > Business & Office > Legal

Product Description

Save money on legal fees! Quicken WillMaker Plus helps you protect your family with key legal documents, which you can create quickly and easily with simple step-by-step interviews. Make your own legal wills, living trusts, health care directives ("living wills"), powers of attorney, final arrangements, executor documents and more. The software is so easy to use, anyone can make an estate plan – yet it's so comprehensive, lawyers use the software to generate their clients' documents. Quicken WillMaker Plus is the easiest, most accurate way to make your own will and estate plan, online or off.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, January 26, 2006

By 

Scott A. Weigel "8thson" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I recently purchased Willmaker Plus 2006 as an upgrade to my 2004 version. While we were happy with the 2004 version, we wanted to upgrade to the newest version to make sure we had a program which was legally current. Using the 2004 version, my wife and I created wills for ourselves, but did not get around to creating any of the other documents. Thus far, I have been extremely happy with what the 2006 version of the program has to offer. It is very easy to use (and I am not particularly great with computers)!

After loading the current version, we started out by updating our wills that were created with the older version. One of the reviews below indicates that you cannot upgrade from previous versions. This is simply not the case at all, in fact, it was quite easy for us to do. After updating our wills, we created living wills and living trusts for ourselves. Unlike our wills, these documents had to be notarized. Included with the final versions that we printed out were instructions on what to do next.

As for the programs design, it is very easy to use and informative. All of the documents take you through an interview process. On each screen you have to make choices and press the "next" button to proceed. To help you with each of these choices, there is plenty of information in everyday, "non-legal" language to keep you informed of what you are actually deciding on. For instance, I did not know what an executor was, but in 30 seconds I was informed and able to make the right decision. At the same time, we never felt overwhelmed with information during the process. Some of these documents are quite in-depth, so this was quite a feat! Also, as neither of us knows very much about the law, it was reassuring that the program comes with a "web update". Basically, you push a button and the program updates itself with the latest laws and modifications. As laws change, it is nice to know that the program will incorporate any changes into it and not cause any problems for my family in the future....

All in all, the program is extremely easy to use and very informative at the same time. I suggest people pick this program up as it is very important to make sure that your assets and family are covered in case of the unexpected. Fortunately, Willmaker Plus 2006 is neither expensive nor a headache. I highly recommend....

71 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The upgrade is the law, February 1, 2006

By 

B. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Upgrading is a deal, and I'll tell you why:

I used WillMaker Plus 2005 because my attorney, a family friend, recommended it, saying it's the only will-writing product he'd use because it's created by lawyers that updates our state's laws every year (for safe measure, I had him review my documents to make sure they were legal -- he had no changes).

When I needed to change my will a couple weeks ago and started up the program, I was a bit miffed that I had to upgrade to the 2006 version. But when I mentioned this to my family lawyer, he laughed and said I could just pay an attorney $300 to update my will. Obviously, I upgraded.

The 2006 version has no whiz-pow, over-the-top new features, but laws that affect wills and trusts change. Upgrading was a small price to pay to know my new will is legal.

201 of 222 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars GOOD PRODUCT! BUT, ONLY A MINIMAL UPGRADE OPTION FOR USERS OF 2005 & 2004 EDITIONS, November 6, 2005

By 

VAL ODUENYI (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

"Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 Estate Planning Software" is an easy-to-use handy tool for anyone who has to author a written-will and/or similar legal document. The software has a well-designed layout. It runs on any Windows operating system, which is 95 or later version. It can be installed and configured in a shortwhile. Its operational tempo is nice; and, it does not tie-up systems resources as much as other 'Quicken software' like: "Quicken Premier Personal Finance" and "Premier Home & Business" do.
However, the first negative sign users of previous editions will notice in this one is that very little has changed. As a result of this, it is difficult to see any good reason why those who own either the 2004 or the 2005 versions should bother themselves with upgrading to this 'new' version.
In general terms, the naked truth is that most software manufacturers, who indulge in the production of yearly 'new versions', have very little or nothing to show for the money they ask. They often play on buyers' psychology by rearranging the graphical interface of their 'old' products, and then hype them up as 'new' and 'improved'. This explains in part, why most of the recently released 'new products' have more bugs than the 'older ones', which they are supposed to be replacing. And since most of the potential buyers believe that 'new' items are always better, they fall into the buying trap.
What I have mentioned does not partain only to the makers of 'Quicken' products. It includes Microsoft, Adobe, Macromedia, Norton, McAfee, Corel, and so on. But, I hinted it here because I have conclusively inferred that this newly released "Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 Estate Planning Software" is very much like the 'old' 2005 edition, which it suppose to replace. And, the 2005 version is as well, very similar to the 2004 version: in both design and function. So, how on earth can one justify all these calls for upgrade, if the trend persists as it currently is?
In conclusion, I will advise any first-time buyer, who is considering this software, to gladly invest on it. It is by every means a good product. And, the retail price is reasonable enough. However, if you are an old-timer, who owns either the 2005 or the 2004 edition of this software, I will categorically tell you not to buy this 2006 edition. It is still functionally very similar to what you already have. So, why should you pay for it? Spending on this 'new version' won't be a wise decision at all. Just wait and see if there will be a real upgrade-worthy version coming out for you next year. Good luck!