Most people above the age of majority have heard that it is important to write a will but why don’t as many people have one? When a person dies without a will, their estate is said to have passed away “intestate”. This means that the deceased person’s belongings will be distributed according to a pre-determined set of state laws, rather than according to the deceased person’s wishes. The law on intestacy is flexible and could be different at the time of death from what it used to be. While the intestacy rules may generally distribute a person’s assets in a way that the deceased person would have wanted, there are often situations where this is not the case. In addition, the intestacy rules may not consider the specific circumstances of the deceased person’s family and loved ones. For example, if the deceased person had young children, they may not have provided for them in the way the deceased would have wanted. Writing a will can be seen as a stock taking exercise. It forces you to think through your estate and its desired distribution.

This can be a helpful exercise regardless of your age, but it can be especially important as you get older and your financial situation changes. There are many reasons why someone might choose to write a will, but the most important is that it can help reduce conflicts after their death. By spelling out how you want your estate to be distributed, you can help avoid fights among loved ones and ensure that your wishes are carried out. If your nearest and dearest know exactly what you gave to them, it minimizes the chances of arguments and disagreement over who gets what. Of course, writing a will is not just about ensuring that your estate is distributed according to your wishes, it is also important to make sure that your beneficiaries are not swamped with debts. Another key benefit of writing a will is that it allows you to appoint a trusted individual to carry out your wishes. This can provide peace of mind knowing that your affairs will be handled in the way you intended.

If you’re considering writing a will, be sure to speak with a lawyer who can answer any questions and help you navigate the process. Talking to a lawyer about drafting a will is a good idea to ensure that all your bases are covered. They will be able to advise you on the best way to distribute your estate, according to your personal circumstances. Write your will today as this remains the best way to ensure that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes.