Why Does Everyone Need a Will?

With a Will:
You can direct the distribution of your assets to those you care about most.
You can choose a personal representative (executor) to oversee the distribution of your assets.
You avoid unnecessary expenses on the administration of the estate.
You can appropriately provide for minor children by naming a guardian or establishing a trust.
You can provide for relatives and friends according to their needs.
You can save considerable estate taxes by utilizing proper estate planning techniques.
You can provide support for charitable causes that have special meaning for you.

Without a Will:
State statute determines the distribution of your property.
The court appoints an administrator for you.
Because the administrator is subject to constant court supervision, the cost of administering the estate may be greater.
You cannot provide for minors. The court will appoint a guardian for them, and the guardian will make decisions about a minor’s care.
Your estate may lose thousands of dollars in taxes because you did not take advantage of tax-saving opportunities available to you.
State statutes do not provide any support for charitable causes on your behalf.

 


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