One of the worst things you can do for your family is not leave them a last will & testament. That’s because when they’re not sure what your wishes are, it’s easy for inheritors to argue about who deserves what. Even if your family is in no way selfish or likely to quibble about the inheritance like that, they still need to know what your preferences are, or if you have any wishes that need to be respected.
With a family lawyer and estate planner this process doesn’t take much time, so you can at least discuss where you’d like your priceless collection to go, or who gets to split the value of your property.
But what other important inclusions do people speak less of? In this post, we’ll discuss a few options:
Funeral Requests
You can keep it simple or go into detail, but either way, writing down how you’d want your funeral handled is something people often skip, and it leaves a lot hanging in the air. Including these wishes in your last will & testament allows you to name the place, mention music you like, say who you’d want to speak, and even list a few things you’d rather avoid (yes, you can even say you don’t want a certain person there).
If you’re more traditional, say so. If not, give an idea of what the day should feel like. Mention whether you’d prefer cremation or burial, or who you’d trust to make any calls that aren’t written down. Services like Pugh’s Funeral Directors can follow those requests closely an they’ll take such requests seriously, but only if someone actually gives them something to follow.
Clarity On Sentimental Items
Sentimental belongings you leave can often cause more dispute than expensive items. Such examples could include a wedding ring, a piece of furniture, a photo album, an heirloom, or a recipe book you’ve put together over decades. Even if it’s something you think nobody will care about, it’s worth writing it down, just in case. At the very least you can say who you want the item to go to, and from then on it’s their choice to decide how they handle it. Now, there’s no need to list every item in the house, but if something carries meaning, or comes with a story, leaving that written down will help you save your family concern, worry and confusion.
Naming Someone Steady To Help Manage Your Leftover Affairs
Picking the person who’ll handle the will, usually known as the executor, can matter. Who do you trust the most out of your family or friend group? That might be a spouse, a child, or even a close family friend. Make sure they’re someone who understands what you wanted in your last will & testament, and isn’t afraid to push it through even if the room goes quiet. It helps if they’re practical, calm, maybe the type who gets on with things even if they’re not saying much. Make sure they know you’ve chosen them too, and that they’re up for it, because it’s a big role to take on in the middle of everything else. Like naming someone a godparent, it’s an honour but it does come with responsibility to handle, so keep that in mind.
With this advice, you’re certain to plan your will with care.
Photo by Matthias Zomer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-signing-document-paper-618158/
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