Quicken WillMaker Plus 2017 Review

TL;DR

Quicken WillMaker Plus 2017 is the legacy edition of Nolo's long-running estate-planning kit. The interview-style software still produces usable wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney for straightforward estates, and the included book explains the legal backdrop in plain English. If your situation is simple and your state is supported, it is a real money-saver versus an attorney's flat fee.

Why It Matters

Most Americans die without a will. The reasons are usually the same: it feels expensive, intimidating, and easy to put off. WillMaker collapses all three barriers by turning estate planning into a guided questionnaire. For uncomplicated households, it produces documents that, when properly signed and witnessed, hold up in probate.

Key Specs

• Book plus Windows-compatible software
• Drafts wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, financial powers of attorney, and final-arrangement letters
• Interview-style data entry; no legal jargon required
• State-specific clauses for most U.S. states
• Includes worksheets for asset and beneficiary inventories

Pros

• Interview format catches missing items most DIYers forget (digital assets, pet care, guardian backups)
• Book explains why each clause exists, not just what to type
• Far cheaper than an attorney for a simple estate
• Generates clean, court-ready PDFs

Cons

• This is the 2017 edition; tax thresholds and some state forms have changed since
• Windows-only software; Mac users need a workaround
• Not a fit for blended families with complex trusts, special-needs beneficiaries, or large estates
• Louisiana and a few unique-law states have limited support

Who It's For

Ideal for first-time estate planners with one home, standard retirement accounts, and a clear list of beneficiaries. Also useful as a learning tool before meeting an attorney; you arrive with terminology and worksheets already filled in.

How to Use It

Read the chapter for each document type before opening the software. Gather account statements, beneficiary names, and Social Security numbers in advance. Complete the interview, print the documents, then sign and witness exactly as the on-screen instructions specify. Store originals in a fireproof folder and tell your executor where they are.

How It Compares

Versus an attorney-drafted plan, WillMaker trades customization for cost. Versus free online will generators, it adds depth, state-specific guidance, and a reputable publisher behind it. If your estate is large, blended, or international, treat WillMaker as a starting outline, not the final document.

Bottom Line

For a simple estate, the 2017 edition still does the job at a fraction of attorney pricing. Just confirm your state's witness and notary rules have not changed before you sign.

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