Creating a last will and testament is difficult for many reasons. Of course, it can be emotionally challenging to have to face your own mortality, but it can also be hard to make these types of critical decisions. Many people dread going through the process so much that they never get around to making one, which can put a lot of unnecessary stress and difficulty on their loved ones. With that in mind, read the following tips on where to begin so you can get your will done and out of the way.
Selecting Guardians
If you have minor children, the most important thing in your will should be who will take care of them until they are of adult age. You can select one person to take care of their physical well-being and another for their financial needs. In many cases, however, it is best to select one person for both of these tasks. It does not have to be a family member, though that is a popular choice. Take the time to think about who you feel would do the best job raising your children, and then identify them in your will.
Selecting who will get Your “Stuff”
Most people have accumulated quite a bit of “stuff” over the course of their life. While it can be tempting to just let people take what they want when you are gone, this will undoubtedly lead to fights and other problems. For all your major assets, make sure you identify who will get what. You can select one person to get everything, or split it up between many. It is also possible to select one person, such as a spouse, to get everything if they are still alive but then have secondary beneficiaries in the event that your spouse dies before you.
Selecting an Executor
Choosing a trusted person who can locate your assets and distribute them according to your instructions is very important. This can be a loved one, or you can even appoint an attorney or other professional to take on this role. It is often a good idea to have a secondary executor as well in case the first choice is unable to perform the duties.
While creating a will isn’t necessarily a fun process, you will rest more easily once it is done. If you need any assistance getting started, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices to set up an appointment with our team today!
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry founded the Amsberry Law Firm in 1995 with the goal of providing clients with exceptional, focused representation on their issues. His success as a legal advocate has been reflected in the numerous professional honors he has received, such as speaking engagements and inclusion in Scene in SA magazine’s listing of the best lawyers in San Antonio, a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubble, and an amazing rating from Avvo. [ Attorney Bio ]
Amsberry Law Firm
Latest posts by Amsberry Law Firm (see all)
- Six Essential Pieces of a Pre-Planned Adoption Agreement - July 8, 2022
