Are Wills Necessary?
It is not unusual for someone to ask me if they need a Will. My response is nearly always the same: Yes. There are very few certainties in life, however, death is an absolute. Whether you consider yourself to be rich or poor, you, along with your loved ones, would likely benefit from a Will.
What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document that designates an individual’s wishes as to how their property or estate will be handled after their death. If you do not have a Will at the time of your death, then that means that your loved ones you leave behind must navigate through the court system’s probate process. Further, this means that you will not get to pick who the guardian is for your child, who receives the money in your savings account, or who gets your precious family heirloom.
You Should be in Control.
The truth is, you should be able to designate how your property is handled after your death and who the person is that you trust to be the executor of your will. If you do not do this then the state will make these decisions for you.
For example, in Kansas, if you do not have a Will, then this means that one-half of your estate would go to your spouse and then the other half of the estate would be given to your children. If you are married with no children, then your spouse would receive the entirety of your estate. Next, if you have children but are not married, then your children would receive the entirety of your estate. Keep in mind that the result specific to your situation will depend on many factors.
You should seriously consider planning for your future. With a Will, you can be sure that your property is handled in the manner that is consistent with your desires.
The information throughout this webpage is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal advice must always be customized to the individual case. Further, the information on this webpage does not create any attorney-client relationship between you and the Gilchrist & Fields Law Firm.
