What is a Will and When Do You Need One?

Do you have a will written up? Are your affairs in order in case something unfortunate happens? We know these are hard questions to ask yourself, and even more so, hard things to think about. However, they are necessary to ensure your family and your loved ones are always going to be taken care of. Writing a will is an important and necessary part of life, and we want to make sure you understand why that is.

What Does a Will Do?

A will is a very important legal document that gives instructions on what to do with your possessions after you move on from this life. It may be a bit intimidating to think about, but it is a completely normal thing to deal with.

Writing a will doesn’t have to be a scary or painful process. It’s safe to assume that you have some idea of who you want to make sure is taken care of after you pass, and how you would expect that to be done. That is all a will does: it takes care of your family, your loved ones, your pets, and anyone else you may choose.

We always recommend getting a will written with a lawyer, as there are parts of the country where a handwritten, unwitnessed will is considered void. Additionally, there are a lot of things to consider when writing it and it’s best to have the help of a professional. You shouldn’t leave things up to chance; hire a lawyer and make sure it’s taken care of properly.

When Should You Write a Will?

A big question we encounter often is “when should I actually start making my will?”, and obviously, we understand the hesitancy that comes along with this. Making a will might seem somewhat intimidating but it doesn’t have to be!

Start thinking about writing a will if:

1. If you’re getting married, divorced, or even remarried. These are huge changes in your personal life and can greatly affect the way your estate is handled if you were to pass.
2. If you have children but haven’t made up a will yet at this point in your life. If you were to pass, would your children be taken care of the way you’d like for them to be? There are so many options and factors to consider, and you want to make sure that if something were to happen to you, your children would be taken care of by the family members or friends that you choose for them. If you’re already a parent and have a current will but are planning on expanding your family, always make sure that your will is updated after each additional child you have.
3. If you own a house or any type of real estate, you should definitely consider writing a will. Who will gain ownership of this after you? Do you want the property sold and the money distributed evenly?

Keep it Up-To-Date

Maybe its been a few years since you’ve even thought about the state of your will; how could you be expected to remember if it’s accurate or if it fits how you feel now? It’s smart to check it and potentially update it periodically, so you know that your estate is exactly what it should be.

Take Care of Your Estate Now and Stop Worrying

We know that thinking about death is hard and you might want to put it off, but we want you to be prepared so that you can rest easy at night knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of exactly how you want them to be. Siegel Law Group can guide you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have about the process. Please don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call at (561) 955-8515(561) 955-8515 for a free consultation.