Wills
It is very important that people have a valid and current will. A person’s assets will not go to the State if there is no will, but the law provides for a disposition of the person’s assets, generally to their children or if there are no children, then to their parents or if the parents are deceased, to any siblings. This may not be the way a person wants their assets to be distributed at their death.
A will allows a person to specifically provide for the disposition of their assets. It also allows the person to designate the personal representative who will handle the probate and disposition of the assets. A will also allows a designation of a guardian for a minor child. Finally a will may create a trust for children and a trustee to handle the assets for the benefit of the children until they reach a sufficient age for mature decisions to be made.
A will does not provide for a person’s burial, cremation, or other funeral arrangements, so these need to be communicated separately to the person’s closest family members. Powers of attorney for the handling of a person’s medical needs and/or property and income may be needed to handle the person’s estate if he or she becomes incapacitated before he or she dies.