How To…Write a Will

Just about everyone should have a will, also referred to as a Last Will and Testament.  It directs your heirs and descendants how to handle your estate after you die. Some people die without a will, which is called intestate. In that situation, state law dictates what happens to your belongings and assets. You don’t get a say, and your family doesn’t get a say. If that is ok with you, then you don’t need a will. If that is not your preference, then you should make sure you prepare a will.

A will controls your physical possessions, real estate, and other assets. If you own something jointly, such as real estate, often it automatically goes to the joint owner upon your death and the will does not control it. Some other assets, like life insurance, have a beneficiary who receives it and is also not controlled by a will. You have the option of leaving all your other possessions to any person or persons you choose. Give some thought to what makes sense for you and what you would like to see happen.

A will deals with circumstances after your death. There is another type of document that deals with circumstances prior to your death, which is called an Advance Directive (also called a living will). This directs your loved ones and medical providers how to treat you if you become unable to tell them yourself. It can be a hard thing to think about and talk about, but it is important. An advance directive allows you to say what your wishes are regarding things like feeding tubes, fluids, treatments, and/or respirators, and to designate someone to make decisions for you if/when you are unable to. This person is your agent for health care decisions.