NEW YORK – Estate law experts estimate that two-thirds of Americans don’t have a will. You don’t have to have the document drafted by an attorney for it to be legal, but it can give you extra security to have what you write reviewed by a lawyer.

If high legal fees are standing in the way of detailing who gets your possessions when you die, there are a number of low-cost ways to do most or all of the work yourself. In general, the key requirements for a will to be binding are that the person writing the will is mentally competent and that the document is signed in front of impartial witnesses. Some states require that the document be typed rather than handwritten.

Another aspect of estate planning that can be handled without lawyers are powers of attorney. If you become incapacitated, a health-care power of attorney appoints someone to make medical decisions for you. A durable power of attorney lets you choose who would take care of your financial affairs.

Basic estate planning tools include Nolo’s “Simple Will Book,” www.legalzoom.com, and www.healthdirectives.org.

Those with large or complicated estates may be better off have an attorney guide them through the entire process to ensure the degree of legal clarity needed to resolve potential disputes.

AAA helps auto shoppers

To make the best choice when buying a car, do your homework before you get to the showroom. Of course, it’s best not feel pressured to make a quick decision or grab the first deal that sounds good. A new free service arms car shoppers with valuable information.

AAA’s online research tool can help car buyers select their preferences to find the auto they are looking for. AAA Automaker also allows the consumer to compare models that address a person’s needs for features like passenger capacity, price, crash test ratings and gas mileage. It also helps narrow the search by letting the consumer choose what criteria are most important and listing them in order of what matters most.

To find AAA’s Automaker, visit the automotive section of www.aaa.com.

AAA also publishes comprehensive guides on 200 new cars and trucks, as well as and buying vs. leasing a car. These books can be ordered online or bought at AAA offices.