Top Ten Reasons to Have a Will

When you have a will, it is possibly one of the more critical things you are able to do for yourself and your family. Not only having a will is going to legally safeguard your spouse, children, and assets, it also declares precisely how you are going to want things managed following your passing away.

Whereas each person’s situation is going to be different, below are the top ten reasons you need to have a will.

1) You choose how your estate is going to be distributed. A will is legally binding documentation that enables you to determine how you are going to like your estate to be managed after you pass away. If you pass away not having a will, there is not a guarantee that your planned desires are going to be carried out. Having a will is going to help reduce any family squabbles concerning your estate that may come up, and is also going to establish the “who, what, and when” of your estate.

2) You choose who is going to raise your minor children. A will enables you to make an informed decision about who is going to take care of any minor children you have. Not having a will, the court is going to take it upon itself to decide among members of your family or state-appointed guardian(s). Having a will, it enables you to name the individual you want to bring up your children or, ideally, guarantee it is not an individual you do not want bringing up your children.

3) To bypass a prolonged probate process. Despite what some people think, all estates are required to go through probate, with or without a will. With a will, on the other hand, expedites up the probate process and notifies the court how you would like your estate distributed. Probate courts serves with the intention of “administering your estate”, and when you pass away not having a will (referred to as “intestate”), the court is going to determine how to distribute your estate devoid of your input, in which could also cause drawn out, needless delays.

4) Decreases estate taxes. One other reason to have a will is the fact that it allows you to decrease your estate taxes. The worth of what you pass on to family members or charities is going to decrease the value of your estate when it is time to pay for estate taxes.

5) You choose the individual that is going finalize the affairs concerning your estate. Executors ensure all your affairs are in order, comprising of paying off bills, canceling any credit cards you have, and notifying your financial institution and other business institutions. Since executors play a major role for the supervision of your estate, you are going to want to be sure to name an individual that is honest, dependable, and organized (which might or might not necessarily be a member of your family).

6) You are able to disinherit those that would otherwise stand to inherit. A lot individuals do not know they are able to disinherit people out of their will. Sure, you may want to disinherit those that might otherwise inherit your estate when you pass away without a will. Since wills specifically details how you would like your estate allocated, not having a will your estate might end up in the wrong hands or in the hands of an individual you did not want (perhaps an ex-spouse that you had a embitter divorce with).

7) Giving gifts and donations. The capability of making gifts is a good cause to have a will since it enables your legacy to live on and is a reflection your personal morals and interests. Additionally, gifts of up to thirteen thousand dollars are eliminated from estate tax, so you’re additionally increasing the worth of your estate for your successors and beneficiaries to appreciate. Make sure to check the present laws for your year to discover the latest gift tax exclusions.

8) Bypass greater legal challenges. When you pass away not having a will, a portion or all of your estate could pass to an individual you did not wish. For instance, one case involved the estate of a deceased daughter that was bestowed to over $2 million from a wrongful death case. When the daughter passed away, the son’s father – that had not been involved in his son’s life for over 28 years – stood to inherit the whole estate, leaving close family members and brothers and sisters out of the frame!

9) Since you can change your mind when your life situation changes. An ideal reason for having a will is that you are able to modify it at any time while you’re still living. Life changes, like births, deaths, and marriage, can create case where modifying your will are required.

10) For the reason that tomorrow is never promised. Laziness and a hesitation to accept death as part of life are typical reasons for not having a will. Occasionally the realization that wills are required comes too late – like when a sudden death or disability happens. To avoid the increased strain on families throughout an already emotional time, it’s a good idea to meet with an estate planning attorney that can help you devise a basic estate plan at the minimum, before there’s no time.

Talk to an Attorney About the Reasons You Should Have a Will

There are a lot more than just ten reasons to have a will, but it can be mind-blowing to actually create one. Whereas knowing your state’s laws is vital, you don’t have to be a professional to devise your will. You can get a hold of an estate planning attorney near you that can help you devise your wishes into legal documentation.

Source:

1. Top ten reasons to have a will. Findlaw. (2018, January 26). Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.findlaw.com/estate/wills/top-ten-reasons-to-have-a-will.html

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Regardless of the choice you make, it’s important you make the best choice for you when hiring an attorney. Remember: The decisions you make now can affect your future. Ultimately, choosing the best lawyer will depend on which lawyer feels best for you and your situation.

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