Will in Florida

How do I go about making a will in Florida with no lawyer? My mother is in bad health and wants a will to be made. She owns nothing valuable and has a three year old daughter who has no father technically (he is not on the birth certificate, never has been in her life, and has not submitted to paternity tests). She wants to leave her 3 year old with me.

Try one of the online services-they are getting better these days.

Your will can be made my lined paper and handwriting, as long as the person has at least one or two witnesses to the signing of it, and making the will of sound body and mind. It is legally enforceable.

Suze Orman also has a complete Will and Trust kit on her website for a small fee. It's very useful in getting started the estate planning process.

Be warned, however, that the father may, at some point, show up demanding a paternity test and wish to take custody of the child. That's a legal battle for which you must prepare yourself. It's not right, but even if the father has previously taken no interest, courts generally favor fathers and mothers over anyone else in regard to custody.