Will You, Won't You: Why You Need A Last Will And Testament
Legal:Living-Will Article GuideBy: Sharon Hurley Hall
What is a Will?
It is a legal document or a signed letter left by the deceased giving instructions on what should happen after his/her death and how the estate should be divided. We all know we should have one, but often do not understand why.
What happens without a Will?
Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made a valid Will, your property will pass on according to the law of intestacy. This may not be what you would have wished. It is also likely to take longer to finalise your estate than if you had made a Will. During this time your beneficiaries may not be able to draw any money from your estate. It can mean arguments and distress for relatives.
Matters to consider
If you are single, you will want your estate divided amongst friends, relatives and charities of your choosing and in the proportions you want.
If you are married, don't assume "my other half will get everything". Brothers and sisters or parents may have a claim. Often you children have a right to part of your estate. If you are living as a couple but not officially married, you may be treated as a single person and a surviving partner may get nothing at all. One thing you can be certain of - there will be argument and dispute at a time when the family should be coping with the loss of a loved one.
If you are a parent, you should consider who would look after your children in the event of your death. This is particularly important in the case of one parent families or unmarried parents living together. A valid Will nominating guardians is invaluable in such cases. If no one knows what you would have wanted, the Court will decide on the future of your children, and it may not be what you or your children would have wished.
If you are retired, maybe you made a Will a long time ago. It probably needs updating to include additional grandchildren or deletion of persons you no longer feel you wish to leave anything to.
Whatever your circumstances, making a Will is a good way to ensure that your wishes are carried out. What are you waiting for?
Sharon Hurley Hall is a freelance writer who has co-authored a book on UK legal services. For more information on prepaid funeral plans, visit Silver Birch Solutions To contact Sharon, visit http://www.doublehdesign.com/
Bookmark & Share Articles:
Related Articles:
Leave a comment to Will You, Won't You: Why You Need A Last Will And Testament
No Responses to Will You, Won't You: Why You Need A Last Will And Testament
(From 0 Votes)
RSS Legal Guide Feed
Latest 5 Legal Guide
When Should you Choose Collaborative
Article by: Howard Goldstein
There are many law firms that limit their family law...
The Estate Plan You Wish
Article by: Mark Walters
Do we agree that life is a struggle? It's...
Assault & Battery - Criminal
Article by: Todd Going
Each year there are over 800,000 assaults reported to local...
A Quick Guide to Lawyers
Article by: Marcela Devivo
Lawyers specialize in a wide number of fields from personal...
Identity Fraud – Hints and
Article by: Steve Jones
The threat of identify fraud is on the rise and...