A basic necessity to ensure you property goes where you want it.
A will is a simple way to plan for the future of your estate. It gives you control of what happens to your assets, both financial and tangible, after you’re no longer around to do so personally. Without a will in place, questions about who gets what things when and why fall to the government via the court system: Probate. Such arrangements tend to be stressful, unpleasant, and arcane legal mazes for your loved ones to navigate, and they can stretch on for years after your death. Having a current will on hand at the time of your passing can spare your family and friends unnecessary hassle so that they can peaceably grieve and subsequently move on.
A will gives you the ability to say which people get what and, if so inclined, who doesn’t get a thing.
Probate is a bridge that a will can help cross.
Probate is the legal process by which the state discerns and legally recognizes what you’d like done with your estate after you’re gone. Without a will, your loved ones and the court must endure a probate process that is already lengthy, and now will result in everything you own being distributed without you having any ability to direct it. For any estate that is not otherwise distributed (such as via a trust) the probate court will oversee the transfer of property and the settling of debts. A will helps make clear what there is to distribute, to whom it will go, and how. A well-crafted will can make the probate process a smoother affair by clearly spelling out how you want your assets dispersed and making your chosen executor’s job that much easier..
Let me help you write your will to safeguard your estate. Give me a call (805) 705-4433, or contact me to set up a consultation, and we’ll get started reviewing how a will may be of benefit to you.