Milestones in our lives usually require some planning and consideration ahead of time. They might include saving for a college education and organizing the myriad details of a wedding, for example. Those are joyous, exciting occasions for most people. Writing a will describing someone’s preferences about the handling of his or her assets after death is definitely not a happy task, but equally necessary to deal with. You would probably want to have a will to prevent confusion, delays or potential legal bills and hassles for your heirs.
You may be tempted to just scribble a few things down on a piece of paper and stash it in a safe deposit box to be read years later after you are deceased. That’s not the best course of action, though. A will should be carefully worded and thought out and contain very specific information. Consulting an attorney may be helpful, too.
You might want to think over some of that information before including it in the document. For instance, you have to decide who to bequeath your irreplaceable possessions to, especially if they have great sentimental or monetary value. Your financial assets must be dealt with as well.
Suggestions for writing your will
- Pick the beneficiaries who will inherit from you and make sure the list of people named in your will stays current.
- Choose an executor who will ensure that the specifications in your will are followed. This person should be responsible, trustworthy and agree to handle the duties that being an executor entails. Whether you select an attorney, a friend or a relative, be aware that the person you pick should be compensated for their time.
- If you have children, you need to name a suitable guardian.
- Store your will in a safe location and make someone you trust aware of it.
- Review your will periodically so it is always up-to-date.
Wills are detailed and extremely important documents. An experienced attorney in California is a good source of information on wills.
