No one really wants to think about death and dying, and that’s why not many people have a will. However, whether or not we want to think about passing away, having a will can have its advantages. 

A will is a legal document that dictates how your assets should be distributed. If you don’t have the will when you die, the state law will determine how your assets will be distributed – which isn’t always ideal or something you may have wanted. 

If you are interested in making your own will, there are some things that you should be aware of. 

6 Tips To Help You Make a Will

1. Make a list of all your assets

First of all, you should make a list of all your significant assets that you would like to leave to your loved ones. These assets may include money, properties, real estate, vehicles, businesses, and other physical things. 

When making a list, it’s important to know that you can’t put everything in the will. This is because some of the assets you own already have a default heir. 

This means that if you share a property with someone, the other owner has the “right of survivorship” on your part of said property, so, you can’t leave it to anyone else. 

2. Make a list of your debts

Another important list is the one with your debts. Before drafting a will, make sure you have a detailed list of all your debts including mortgage, car loans/leases, credit cards, personal and student loans, and so on. 

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be leaving your debts to anyone but it’s highly important to have a good idea of your financial status. With this list, it will be easier to plan your funeral, medical expenses, probate costs, and other taxes.

3. Name your beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are people who will inherit your assets and your estate once you die. This step is not always necessary, but you can make a list of beneficiaries if you want to.

In most cases, beneficiaries include people closest to you. However, you can put anyone you want in your will. 

At this moment, you don’t have to be specific with who will get what, but just have a list of people you want to include in your will. 

4. Find an executor

An executor is a person who will handle and sort out all your final arrangements. Basically, they will make sure that your last will is executed properly. 

When choosing an executor, you should make sure that this is someone you trust implicitly. Also, before appointing an executor make sure this person is willing to fill this role. Being an executor involves dealing with a lot of paperwork and you should always choose someone responsible and organized. An executor can be anyone, a friend, a family member, or even your lawyer or an accountant.

Additionally, make sure they know where to find your will and other important documents.

5. Consult with a lawyer

When making a will, it’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer. Consulting with a lawyer can be a great help as they can give you legal advice. It’s true that you can make a will without a lawyer, but it’s always better to have some legal support. 

A lawyer will also advise you to regularly update your will. Updating the will is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial. This option lies entirely with you.

Chedid Storey Lawyers have a lot of experience with wills and they have seen, first hand, what happens when you don’t have one. So, if you require experienced last will lawyers, Chedid Storey Lawyers are the right option for you.

6. Choose a guardian for your children 

And last, but certainly not least, you should choose the right guardian for your children. In many cases, if one parent dies, the other will get custody of the children (minor children).

However, depending on the circumstances, this isn’t always the case. There are cases when both parents die or there’s only one parent involved. In those cases, you can name a legal guardian in your will. Just to be sure, you can also choose a second choice for a guardian.  

Make sure the people you plan to name as your children’s guardians are aware of this and in agreement with it.

Having your affairs in order is important, especially since we never know what the future holds. Having the last will means being able to choose guardians for your children, leaving your property to whoever you want to, and avoiding the risk of problems between family members.

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