I need a will.

[laurend1985]

Hi I'm new and this is my third post. Anyway, I got to thinking about this the other day when I was watching TV about the Jackson family drama. Dave Ramsey talks about everyone having a will and if you are leaving some people out of it, mention this while you are living. It will cut out some family drama after you are dead. I don't have a will and I need to start working on this.

[laurend1985]

Does everyone here have a will?

[snafu]

i think everyone needs a Will to prevent the government using up assets deciding distribution. It doesn't need to be difficult or complicated or emotional. There are free forms easily printed from internet which guide you through the process. I suggest that you include an 'Addendum' which is merely a list of your [current] Bank accounts, Insurance & Agent, home, car and personal items of value [financial & emotional]. Should you move, change a/cs, work elsewhere, have a different car etc. you can easily change just the Addendum.

Once you have all the details written, get the forms reviewed and Notarized [signature verified] by an authorized Para Legal or Lawyer. Keep the forms with your important legal documents like House/Mortgage, Vehicle ownership, Contracts etc. You can leave copies in a sealed envelop with the person who will be your Executor or your spouse or your mom or whoever you have a long term relationship and totally trust.

The horror of Aurora, Co makes us realize we are more vulnerable than we can imagine.

[laurend1985]

Thanks for your responses. This is on my to do list next month.

[feh]

Do a search; I'm sure you'll find many prior discussions regarding this subject.

[JoeP]

One of the most sensitive and possibly anxious topics deals with identifying and getting commitment from those who will watch over your kids if "something were to happen" to you both, especially when your kids are young.

Aside: Funny how people avoid the use of the word "die" and instead say "something were to happen to you."

Also, it's not a matter if "if" ...

[koen411]

Wills are not always needed

I am an attorney and would say that you do not necessarily need a will. It depends on how much your net worth is. People who die without a will--their estate goes through probate court and is divided pursuant to your state's laws governing intestate succession--very generally--spouse is most important, then parents, then siblings. Additionally, some assets are governed by contract and would not be subject to probate court, i.e. life insurance etc. However, having a will makes things much easier, especially if you have assets. That being said, if your assets are not complex and your net worth is not substantial, a person can do their own will very easily--something lawyers don't want you to know. There are a lot of options for finding a format for a will--see eg. LegalZoom.

[seen]

Eventually I'll get one I guess. I have a decent net worth, but when I looked up the details online it's not like the state will get anything like I was previously concerned about.

If something happens to me tomorrow my assets will be divided amongst family in prioritization, which is fine by me. I don't have any family members I really need to leave out of it. I'd like to leave everything to siblings but if some of it goes to my parents I'm not worried they'll waste it or anything; my family's always been good with finances that way.