We, as humans, don’t like to face our own mortality. Though we all know we will one day die, in our conversations we often refer to this inevitable event as “if something happens to me” rather than “when something happens to me”. At some point, if we want to do what is best for our families, we need to face our mortality and make preparations.
One of the easiest ways to prepare and take care of our loved ones is to have an experienced professional prepare your last will and testament. These instruments can be very simple, leaving everything to a spouse or children, to more complex that involves trusts, charitable gifts, and exclusions of family members. You should not fear taking this step. It is admittedly a somber and dark subject, but speaking of and planning for your inevitable death will not quicken it. Conversely, taking this step will put you at ease knowing that your wishes will be honored and that your loved ones will not incur the additional stress of figuring things out on their own.
The great thing about having a will prepared is that YOU get to make the decision as to what happens to the assets you have built throughout your lifetime. In Alabama, as in many states, there are statutes that dictate how your property will be divided if you die intestate (that is, without a will). You’ve spent an entire lifetime building your family, providing for them, and working hard to accumulate property and other assets, why would you want to leave it to state law to divide all of that? Why would you want state law to be responsible for determining how best to provide for your family upon your death? This is particularly true if you have children from a previous marriage, yet you have a new spouse. Or what if a child dies with or before you and has children – do you want their share to go to their children or to your surviving children? Do you have a family heirloom that you want your niece, rather than your children, to have ? These are issues best resolved by your own will.
It doesn’t matter your age, your stage in life, or your assets, having a last will and testament is essential for taking care of your loved ones when the inevitable happens.
