Yesterday was the perfect day to write a will; today is the next best choice. Dealing as it does with sad thoughts and fears, it is no wonder that you may want to put it off. But, if you look at the reasons for writing your will now, you'll delay no longer.
If you want to make your own decisions about your final arrangements, the dispostion of your property, the care of your family, your will must be drawn up while you're in relatively decent health able to think clearly.
- With a will, you decide on who may care for your minor children. Without one, the state decides who gets custody. That choice will be made dispassionately sometime after your death with your children left in limbo in the meantime. Not making arrangements with someone you and they trust and love may leave your children feeling abandoned and uncared for. It is an abandonment that can last the rest of their lives.
- Your will determines the use of your remaining assets. Do you want to specifically fund your children's college educations? Do you want to make final donations to your church? An executor (one who carries out these decisions) must be chosen who meets your standards of fairness and trust. Your funds could disappear in court costs and trustee and lawyer fees leaving little for your family and none for organizations important to you if you neglect this.
- Your will, that last testament of your life, decides how precious mementos are bestowed. It is a gift to your family to decide who gets what important family heirlooms. Brief messages may also be included in the paperwork accompanying the will indicating your love and concern. A good will covers all that.
- Wills, also protect your family from sad and painful disagreements, legal and emotional wranglings, at a time when they may be most vulnerable. Often these are instigated by those with no legal rights, but who hope to profit at the expense of your loved ones.
- This is no back-of-the-envelope deal. For your will, you need to list everything you can think of. Then, you need a good lawyer to put it into correct legalese following the correct protocol. A well-written will can be an investment that needs to be only occasionally updated. It can, for instance, include children yet to be born.
Covering these bases can give you and your family peace of mind. But first, you must have your will in hand, in safety deposit box, and in your lawyer's possession before you can truly be said to be taking care of business for yourself and your family.
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