You've probably got a few things you'd like to pass along to the people you love. But have you told anyone what should happen to them?
Without a will, state law generally determines who inherits your property.
A little planning now can save your loved ones a lot of guesswork later. Here's what could happen without a will:
5 Things That Can Go Wrong Without a Will
1. Your things might not go to the people you had in mind.
Maybe you want your house to go to your children, your savings to your spouse, or your car to a particular family member.
Without a will, state law generally determines who inherits your property. That means the people who receive your belongings might not be the people you would have chosen.
2. Your favorite things could end up in the wrong hands.
We're not just talking about houses and bank accounts. What about the family heirloom, the jewelry you've had for years, or that artwork you know someone in your family would love?
A will lets you spell out who should receive specific belongings, so your family doesn't have to play a guessing game.
3. Your family could have more legal paperwork to deal with.
Losing someone is hard enough. Navigating legal paperwork on top of it? Not exactly ideal.
When someone passes away without a will, their family may need to go through a legal process to determine what happens to their property. That can mean more paperwork, more questions, and more time spent sorting things out.
4. Family disagreements could become a lot more complicated.
Picture this: You leave behind three adult children and a family home. One wants to keep it, while the other two would rather sell it and split the money.
Without clear instructions, disagreements about what to do with your property can arise. And sometimes, those disagreements end up involving the courts.
5. Your loved ones may be left wondering what you really wanted.
Maybe you have a pretty good idea of who should get what. But if those wishes only live in your head, your family won't necessarily know what they are.
Putting your wishes in writing gives your loved ones something clear to follow when the time comes. Think of it as one less thing for them to figure out.
Get Your Will Together (Without the Legal Headache)
Cate is here to help you ensure that your wishes are in place. With a one time subscription, draft your will today and get yearly updates at no additional cost.
Getting started is simple and convenient, and you can come back anytime to pick up right where you left off.