When the urge or time to write a will arrives, it can take people by surprise how much of an emotional task it is. Drafting a will entails thinking about what you have built over your lifetime and then figuring out who and where you want it all to go once you pass on. Human beings are mortal after all, but that doesn’t make the task any less hard. Your last will and testament may be the single most meaningful document you will leave behind after death, which is why many people fail to get around to it.
But if you pass without a will, it can make matters more complicated for your grieving loved ones, as they may have to deal with issues such as probate or the contesting of a will. It can change your experience for the better to hire a lawyer that guides you through writing a will. Or if you need to make a change to it due to life circumstances, they can assist you with that as well.
Here are a series of tips to consider that can help writing your will easier:
Who Will Be the Executor?
The executor is someone you trust to handle your affairs after passing away. This should be a person who you know has your best of interest at heart, and is willing to take on the role. Ideally, they will have some knowledge into legalities, but it’s not a necessity. The person you choose must be responsible and isn’t afraid to ask for help from a lawyer if needed. The executor will manage the estate and perform other tasks such as:
- Obtain copy of the will and file with probate court
- Inform banks, government agencies, and credit card companies of the death
- Represent the decedent’s estate in court
- File an inventory of assets within the estate to the court
- Handle the bank accounts and pay outstanding bills
- Communicate with beneficiaries
- Dispose of property
- Hire an appraiser to value property
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
Who Will Be a Beneficiary?
Beneficiaries are those individuals or organizations that you want to have a part of your assets after passing away. You can choose your closest loved ones, significant other, friends, charitable organizations, and anyone else that has mattered to you during your lifetime.
For more insight into estate planning, consider contacting an estate planning lawyer near you, such as a legal professional from The Law Group of Iowa now.