When facing the fact that life will end at some point, it isn’t easy to think about what will happen to our family and friends afterward. Drafting a will, or a legal document stating your wishes and demands of how your property and assets will be handled, is extremely important to those closest to you. We know that this isn’t the most pleasant of topics, but here are a few things to remember when drafting a will so that the process goes smoothly.
Be Specific
The most important thing about a will is to leave no room for mistakes. Mistakes within this type of document are commonly made, and, unfortunately, can be costly for you and your family. Cover all of your basics by being as detailed as possible about your belongings, accounts and beneficiaries so that there’s no room for anyone to mistake your wishes or misunderstand your intentions.
Cover Any Possibilities
When discussing wills, we must not forget a living will. Unlike a regular will, a living will can help alleviate burdens caused by incapacitations that result in the inability to make important decisions. If writing a will can help ease the burden of your passing for your loved ones, then a living will is necessary to ease that same burden under different circumstances.
Neutral is Better
Sensitive subjects like distributing one’s assets after their death can bring unnecessary turmoil within your family. In order to avoid unnecessary arguing or tension, designate a neutral party as an executor. This person should know your wishes and have the ability to stay impartial in moments where things can get tedious. If finding someone who meets these criteria is overwhelming or unlikely, then one of our attorneys can help.
Find a Lawyer
In a culture with a “do-it-yourself” mentality, it’s understandable to want to write a will on your own. To avoid broadening the burden of deciding what’s to become of your belongings, taking the necessary precautions to ensure that all errors are avoided is most important. After all, mistakes can lead to family members and friends having to deal with unnecessary court proceedings, fees and a loss of property or assets. In this situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so find an attorney who can help make it easier.
Get Help Now
At Barrera, Sanchez & Associates, P.C., we want to help alleviate any stress that drafting a will can cause. We know this field in and out and understand how overwhelming drafting a will can be. Contact our probate lawyers in Mcallen for assistance on will-drafting today.