Things You Should Always Address in Your Will

Writing a will can be very challenging and overwhelming. You want to make sure you include detailed information about everything in your life to avoid future problems, but how do you know where to start? With a will, you can specify who should receive your property after you pass away, as well as name guardians for your underage children. This can be a big task, but here’s what you should start with when writing your will.

Before you decide which people in your life will be receiving your property, you will need to name an executor. This person will ensure that the wishes that you specified in your will are carried out. They should be someone that you know well and someone who is very responsible and organized.

Financial assets
This is the most important thing to address in your will, particularly if you have a complex financial situation. You should decide who will be receiving your savings when you pass away, as well as any investments that you have. You can leave everything to one person or split it up amongst multiple people, but you need to be very clear about who has access to which accounts and what percentage of that money they are supposed to receive.

Home
If your home was purchased jointly with a spouse or other family member, you won’t need to worry about this, as it will automatically go to them. However, if it is in your name only, then you will need to decide who will be receiving your house. If you own any other real estate, such as a vacation home, investment properties, or even commercial real estate, then you will also need to specify who receives those items as well.

Children
If your children are underage, you can name guardians for them in your will. The person you name will be responsible for their care in the event of your passing. This could be a family member, trusted friend, or someone else, but be sure to make this decision carefully. Be sure to talk this decision over with them to make sure they are comfortable with it as well.

Pets
You’ll want to ensure that your furry friends are taken care of no matter what, so you can specify who will be receiving your pets upon your passing. You should make sure it is someone who would be happy to care for them, and ideally they would already have a relationship with the animal. You should also inform them that you are putting them in this position so it does not come as a surprise.

Cars
Any cars purchased in your name will need to be left to someone. You may want a family member or friend to have it, particularly if it is a car of very high value or one that has sentimental meaning. If you don’t specify who receives your car, it may be auctioned off or sold to a dealership.

Heirlooms
You likely have other items in your life that are of significant financial or sentimental value that you’ll want to mention in your will. You can mention as many items as you want – this often makes things easier for your family in the event of your death, as they will know what to do with your things.

When writing your will, be sure to be very clear about everything by detailing exactly which items are going to whom. While you can definitely write a will on your own if you want, it often helps to employ the services of a lawyer. A good will and trusts lawyer is a great person to go to for guidance.