Why You Need a Last Will and Testament…and Other Things.
When it comes to reasons for not making a will, I hear these comments a lot:
I have plenty of time to take care of that.
I can’t decide who gets what.
It takes too much time to do it.
I don’t need one.
I don’t want to think about it!
It’s too expensive.
When it comes to making your Last Will and Testament, some will use any excuse not to take care of this most important business. You may be one of these people, and you surely know someone else who is. Why should you do this thing that seems so very hard? Here are a few reasons:
You don’t know that you have plenty of time – no one knows when they will leave this life, but 100% of people who are born will die…that’s a fact.
The will you create is not set in stone, unless you want it to be. Things in our lives change, and your will can too. Getting something in place protects you from the unknown, but if the unknown doesn’t happen for a while, there are ways to update your choices.
We have streamlined the process for creating your will so that it will take minimal time on your part. For most people, it is less than 1 hour.
If you have children, own property and/or land, have cash, jewelry, or anything of value to you, you need a will.
Hiding your head in the sand to avoid the process can be very comfortable for you, but it will not be comfortable for your loved ones when you are gone.
The cost of having your final wishes known for all the things you have worked hard for in your life are miniscule compared to the cost if you don’t have a will in place. When an Alabama resident dies without a will, the intestacy succession laws in the Alabama Code will dictate who inherits the deceased person's probate estate. Is that really what you want?
Your will is effective after you have passed. If you want to be fully covered, you also need a Power of Attorney so if you are temporarily or permanently unable to handle your own business affairs, the person of your choice can step in to make decisions for you.
The last document you need is a Living Will. You will name a health care proxy and alternate(s), should you desire. This document protects your wishes when you are terminally ill or incapacitated. It covers all your choices that may come about if you are in a hospital or nursing home. We can also prepare Do Not Resuscitate documents, should you like.
So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call and we can discuss your needs.
