13 Reasons why you should write a will: Extensive Resource

A will is a double-edged sword; it ensures your wishes are respected after death, and your loved ones and the things you care for are taken care of after your death. A will provides comfort and a sense of security even as you plan for your life. Here are 13 reasons why you should write a will: 

1. Ensure Your Wishes Are Honored

With a will, you control how your assets and possessions are distributed after your death. Having a valid will ensures your wishes are honored after your death. Without one, the state decides based on its laws of intestacy, which may not align with your wishes. 

2. Appoint an Executor

A will allows one to choose an executor to distribute their assets after their death. An executor gathers all of the important documents required for succession, files court paperwork, and manages assets until they are transferred to beneficiaries. 

3. Guardianship for Minor Children

Creating a will allows parents to choose a guardian for their minor children. A guardian assumes responsibility for your children’s material, educational, and healthcare needs in the event of your death. 

4. Avoid Intestacy Laws

Creating a will reduces the time spent in court and avoids intestacy laws. If one does not leave a will, their estate will be exposed to intestacy laws, thus spending more time in probate court. The court will simply validate the will and allow the executor to administer the estate. 

5. Minimize Family Disputes

 Leaving a will after your demise minimizes disputes among family members. A clear and comprehensive plan will allocate assets to all your beneficiaries in a manner that you deem just and proportionate. Thus, after your death, your family will not fight over your property. 

6. Provide for Pets

A will allows you to choose a guardian and  who will be in charge of your pets. In your will, you can name a guardian for your pets and leave them instructions on how to take care of your pet. 

7. Support Charities

When a testator is passionate about charity and giving back to society through charitable organizations, a will allows you to contribute part of your assets to charity.  Supporting charity accords one tax benefits. 

8. Protect Your Business

If you own a business and your business has assets such as customers, property like computers, intellectual property, furniture, and other business assets. A will allows you to bequeath the business to any family members or your business partners. Specifying this in the will prevent legal disputes. 

9. Specify Funeral Arrangements

A will allows one to specify their funeral arrangements, such as whether they would like to be cremated, disposed of at sea, or buried. Additionally, it allows one to leave instructions on the kind of care they would love to be accorded once they pass on. 

10. Tax Benefits

Depending on how you plan your estate and allocate your assets in your will, you can reduce the taxes owed by your Estate. You can gain tax benefits by allocating some of your assets to charity and by maximizing what you leave behind for your family and other family members. 

11. Include Personal Wishes

A will allows one to customize it to fit their wishes. For example, if you have collectibles, jewelry, books, or anything that you would like to bequeath to your beneficiaries, a will allows you to include your personal wishes that will be fulfilled after your demise. 

12. Update Regularly

Writing a will gives you a chance to update your wishes regularly for example,  if you have had a child, you can update your will to reflect the changes in your family and include the minor in your will. 

13. Peace of Mind 

Writing a will provides one with a peace of mind having knowledge that their beneficiaries will be provided for after their death and their estate will be left in the hands of responsible persons. 

How to write a will

Writing a will is simple; one might equate it to journaling or writing your monthly grocery shopping list. When you want to write a will, you can start by taking stock of all your assets, debts, beneficiaries, and any other wishes you might have. You should consider who you want to be in charge of your estate after your demise. That person is called an executor. 

After establishing all these important aspects, you may write the will yourself or engage a professional will writing company such as LegalPen. LegalPen guides you and supports you on every step of drafting a will. Our legal experts customize the will to reflect your wishes. Additionally, they provide execution and witnessing support.

After creating a will, if you have any questions, you can consult with our attorneys, who are available 24/7 at no extra cost. 

Can I write my own will? 

Yes, you can write your own will without a lawyer by detailing your final wishes.  The will shall have your assets, beneficiaries, an executor, funeral arrangements, and other wishes you might like to include. For the will to be valid, it has to comply with the specific state laws, procedures, and regulations. While it is possible to write your will independently, this approach carries the risk of non-compliance with the law, potentially rendering it invalid.  To ensure your will is legally sound and free from such risks, consider using LegalPen, a professional will-writing service that specializes in helping clients create valid wills online.