What to know about creating a will

On Behalf of | Jun 5, 2023 | Wills

Everyone living in Indiana, and anywhere else in the country, should have a will. If you haven’t created one, now is the time to do so. Having a will ensures that your wishes are carried out after you die. It also makes things easier for your loved ones.

Planning

A consideration to keep in mind when thinking about wills is that they can take quite a bit of planning. Although some people might be able to type a document in a short time that dictates who they want to leave their possessions to, you want to make sure you take the time needed to carefully think about what exactly you own, if it’s jointly owned with someone else, and who might want items that you have.

Beneficiaries

Key details that you want to include in this type of estate document are the beneficiaries. These could include children, parents, siblings, or friends. You could also include organizations that you might want to leave money or assets to, especially if there are those that hold a special place in your heart.

Executing

Someone should be appointed to execute your will. While this could be anyone, you want the executor to be someone you trust who will abide by the decisions that you’ve made. There can usually be more than one person who fills this role. You will name the executor, along with a backup executor in your will.

Once you’ve written your will, you will need to have it witnessed by at least two people. Keep your will in a safe place and let the executor, along with family members, know where it is. Having a will, along with a complete estate plan, can minimize the stress that family members often experience after a death in the family.