Why Is It Important To Have A Will?
If you die intestate – without a will – you will not have control over how your property is distributed after your death. Rather, the intestacy laws of your state will determine who is allowed to take what from your estate.
The court will appoint someone as the administrator of your estate. He or she will be responsible for gathering, cataloging and valuing your assets, paying your creditors and state and federal taxes and distributing any remaining property to your heirs. Generally, this means that after all of your remaining debts, taxes and probate administration costs are paid, the majority of your remaining estate will be left to your spouse and closest blood relatives, which are usually your children but may also include your parents and siblings.
Without a will, you will unable to leave anything to an alma mater, university or college, church or charitable organization. You will not be able to leave anything to friends or other relatives.
Other Benefits Of A Will
A will allows you to do more than merely determine where your property will go. A will also lets you decide:
- Who should be named as the executor of your estate
- Who should serve as a guardian for your minor children
- The type of funeral arrangements you would like to be made
A Note About Wills And Probate
Some believe they can avoid probate and estate taxes if they do not have a will. This, however, is untrue. Even if you do not have a will, your estate will be submitted to the probate court. There are some types of assets – known as nonprobate assets – that may pass on to your intended beneficiaries without a will. These commonly include life insurance proceeds, property held in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, payable on death (POD) accounts, joint accounts and qualified retirement plans.
However, even if certain types of property do not have to go through probate, there is no way to ensure that none of your property will have to go through the probate process. Further, just because the property is not subject to probate does not mean it is not subject to estate taxes. The probate estate and the taxable estate are two very different things. In fact, life insurance and qualified retirement proceeds are two types of nonprobate assets that generally are included in the taxable estate.
Get Experienced Legal Help With Your Will
Every person, no matter the extent of his or her assets, should have a will. Charles M. Hall, P.C., can help you draft the document to reflect your wishes and accomplish your goals. Whether you want to avoid probate as much as possible, limit taxes or leave your property to a charitable organization, properly drafted estate planning documents can help you achieve these goals. Otherwise, you are leaving these important decisions up to the probate court.
To get started, call my firm today at 404-865-1966 or fill out my online contact form.
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