Writing a will might seem like a depressing subject, but it really isn’t. If anything, it’s about establishing peace of mind, for you and those you love, before and after you’re gone.
Here are the top four reasons why you should create a will. Schedule an appointment to sit down with your attorney and draft a collection of final wishes that will make everyone’s life easier after yours is done.
Seamless distribution of assets
You can’t take it with you, so make sure there’s a document in place that indicates who should get your assets. Some assets you may wish to address in your will include money, property, jewelry, vehicles, and family heirlooms. Having a will in place ensures the people set to receive your assets will get them with no arguments. There are a lot of myths connected with wills, but a good attorney will set you on the right path.
Watching out for your kids
It’s tragic, but sometimes people die before their children are fully grown. It’s best then to have a will at a younger age to ensure people know what should be done with your children when you pass away. Appoint a guardian in the will and indicate any provisions your estate can make for the upbringing and education. Otherwise, the courts may need to decide who their new guardian will be. Pick a person you trust to care for them and who your children know well.
Maintain the peace
If you have a contentious family, passing away can provoke a lot of feelings beyond grief. It’s a time fraught with emotions that may obscure judgement. Reduce the possibility of familial strife and rifts caused by argument and legal issues in the wake of your death. Make your intentions for your assets and final wishes plain and clear so there won’t be any fights, wounded pride, or hurt feelings.
Proactive probate process
You’ve probably heard the word probate before. Probate is the process by which a will is recognized, and an executor is appointed to distribute the assets to the beneficiaries. A will speeds up and eases the process. Dying without a will (known as dying intestate) slows things down. Generally, though, the estate then goes to the spouse or nearest living relative. With no spouse or close kin, the money, property, and other assets will go to the county and state. A will saves your friends and family a lot of legal hassles.
Those are the top four reasons why you should create a will. Get it out of the way as soon as possible and you won’t have to think about it again.
