Why A Will?
Having a will is not just for the super wealthy and is a critical aspect of your financial planning.
A formally prepared Will signed by two, or sometimes three witnesses, can be the best way to ensure that your money and assets are left to the heirs you intend to leave them to.
Making a legally binding Last Will and Testament is not nearly as complicated as most people believe it to be. Having a Will can help spare your loved ones from a lengthy ordeal and administrative headache.
You can amend your will at any time. If your marital status changes, or you decide you’d like to update the names of your beneficiaries, your Will can be formally amended at any time. You can simply draft a new Will or attach a Codicil to your existing Will.
Protect Your Children
A will provides explicit instructions for the care of your family and, in particular, your children. It not only explains how your wealth is to be allocated to their care – their basic needs, housing, education, inheritance, etc. – but also whom you wish to appoint as guardian in the terrible event that you are taken from them.
Control How Your Wealth is Allocated
If you don’t have a will, you’ll have no control and zero say over how your wealth is allocated subsequent to your death.
A will gives you control and allows you to specify in great detail which relative or even non-relative gets what. It ensures that the people who meant the most to you in life get to share in the wealth you leave behind.
Appoint an Estate Executor
Having a will in place enables you to appoint an Executor – someone who assumes responsibility for the distribution of your wealth subsequent to your death, ensuring that it all goes according to your plans. This person could be the family lawyer, or perhaps your husband, wife, or child.
Give Back
A valid will also allows you to give back and to leave behind a wider legacy. Allocating a portion of your wealth to charity is a noble gesture that a will can facilitate.
Because Death is Hard Enough
A will smooths out the proceedings subsequent to your death and leaves no room for needless in-fighting, family squabbles, and other such conflicts.
Contact Brenda from our offices for more information regarding Wills and our Wills Week appointments.
National Wills Week – 16 – 20 September 2019
Author: Brenda Munro
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