Although you might keep putting off writing a will, it should be at the top of your to-do list. Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. With a will in place, you can provide a guide for your loved ones to follow. A will can also prevent your loved ones from time consuming and unnecessary arguments about who will inherit what. Instead, you are in control of your possessions.
If you are prepared to start writing your will, you might be wondering what information you need to put in it. Our attorneys at the Law Office of Donald P. Schweitzer provide five of the most important things that need to be included in your will.
What to Include in Your Will
Assets: Before you can decide which loved ones will inherit your assets, you need to know what the extent of your estate is. This will include any houses, vehicles, heirlooms, money, or other valuable items you own.
Beneficiaries: You will need to think about who among your loved ones you would like to inherit your assets. Then, in your will, you’ll need to designate which beneficiary gets which property in clear terms for your executor to understand.
Name an executor: You will need to state who you want your executor to be in your will. The executor is responsible for ensuring your will is carried out exactly how you want and that your property is distributed, as stated in your will. In no executor is named, the probate court will appoint someone to take on the job.
Name a guardian: If you are a parent with minor children, creating a will is incredibly important. You will need to list who you will take care of your children in the event you pass before they are legal adults.
Pet care: If you have pets, it’s also a good idea to include how you want them to be cared for after you are gone. Doing so ensures they will go to the right home. Additionally, you can set aside funds to cover caretaking expenses for them.
Make Sure Your Will is Legal
After you have made your will, you need to make sure that it is valid. If you will is not legally valid, it will not be executed, and your family will most likely end up needing to go through probate. At Schweitzer Law Partners, our attorneys can ensure that your final wishes are taken care of. Our Pasadena lawyers understand California’s estate planning laws and can help you determine if your will has all of the legal requirements needed to be legally valid.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Schweitzer Law Partners today at (626) 788-5225 for assistance with creating your will!