Should I worry about using Quicken to form an NFA trust?

I have read that is best to have a lawyer write up your trust so it is 100% bulletproof. I understand this. In my case I have no kids and I am not married. I basically just want to form a trust so that I can build an SBR hassle free. I would think (although this is an assumption on my part) that considering I just want a very simple trust, that it would be hard to screw it up. Am I off-base in this line of thinking? What are the potential pitfalls in my case?

A paralegal can probably do it cheaper.

I did my own and would recommend doing your own if you have a competent reading level.

I did have questions since I was including more than myself but they got answered from members on here that were more than helpful.

Most here feel the peace of mind from paying a lawyer is worth the usual $300+ price tag.

I'd recommend it as well. I called around and one local attorney wanted $2700 to set up a trust. I laughed into the phone and hung up. I'm not normally rude like that but it deserved the big "F-you laugh"...

A lot of people use Quicken for their trust and it works for them
Just fine. Quicken is what I used but time will tell as I am
Still pending with only 70 days under my belt. It would
Be great to have my stamp by the start of 3 gun season.

I looked into willmaker and even purchased it from amazon. i decided to go through a local lawyer that specializes in firearm trusts. he put "nfa" wording in it that taylors it more for the purpose. he said it is wording he knows the batfe likes to see in the trusts.

all though diy trusts will work, i like that he backs the trust 100% and will make any alterations in the future. if you have the money to get into nfa stuff you can spend the money it takes to do it right.

remember that the trust is what owns the firearms. you probably want it to be as strong as possible. $195 bucks for peace of mind was worth it to me.

if you want to go will maker route, i will sell you my copy.

Well at 70 days, I think you've still got always to go. (I'm at 153 days on my current one)

I used Qiucken Willmaker last year for my MG without a problem. Only thing I did different was to convert the document to Word so I could change the trust name something shorter. I will add my AOW to the schedule A, once the transfer is approved.

How did you get it to convert to word? Every time I tried to do that with mine it just turned to gibberish
and now I am stuck with a short story for a trust name.

I think he's likely blowing smoke up your ass.

I for one am glad that if the ATF ever has a problem with my trust that I don't have to contact Nolo Software (Quicken) and ask them for legal help.

The lawyer who wrote mine will get a call instead. YMMV.

Have you heard of this happening with a Quicken trust? How many times?

Throw up a poll. I bet that 80% pluse of us have used Quicken. Maybe as high as 90%.

Used a Quicken set up trust twice without out issue.
I know of plenty others that have a few more stamps than I and most have used Quicken to set up their trust.

Once would be one time too many. I for one am not willing to take that chance - just as I do my best not to be unarmed.

I found this on another forum. I can't vouch for the authenticity, but even if fake...


Posted By: Anon because...
Date: 5/22/09 11:47


I will try to make this as short an concise as possible. About 2 years ago, I formed a trust using Quicken. Shortly thereafter, I purchased a Mac-11 and a suppressor for the trust and in the trust's name. I only submitted a certificate of trust, not the entire trust, and it was approved. I recently submitted a Form 1 to make an SBR in the trust's name. My Form was kicked back because I hadn't suppplied the entire trust document. I then sent in the entire trust.

Today, my wife called me distraught that the ATF called looking for me. From what she was able to understand from the conversation, the ATF was calling to ask the location of my Mac-11 and suppressor because "they are in the possession of an unlawful entity." She didn't understand what they were saying and has no idea about trusts, so she asked what they meant. The agent apparently informed her that the NFA items were registered to a trust, where I was the trustee, and that the trust was invalid. Moreover, they want me to call them to set up a time for me to turn over the items.

I have called a local attorney that my dealer told me is well versed in firearms law, the NFA, and NFA Trusts. However, his secretary told me that he is in court until later today. Anyway, I am obviously very concerned and have no experience in dealing with the ATF. Has anyone had similar experiences? Am I going to lose my firearms? I am going to a law library to see if I can get some help trying to search this issue until I hear from the attorney. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I remember it being posted here.

And I wish you continued success.

I converted the PDF to Word using Adode. I then put, under Trust Name "This revocable living trust shall be known as the Woodenword Trust."
I also have, along with the trust document, a set of instructions for the successor trustee to follow that is specific to the NFA items in it, once both my wife and I are no longer able to manage our affairs.

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