Model Law: A Blog About Legal Issues

Model Law: A Blog About Legal Issues

Are You Prepared? How To Avoid Problems With Your Will

by Susanna Phillips

If you don't have a will, now's the time to take care of that detail. Wills are among the most important documents you can have in your files. This is especially true where your family is concerned. If you die without a will, your entire estate may be in jeopardy. Not to mention the problems your family will face once you're gone. Before you put your will off for another day, read the tips provided below. Here are four steps to help you avoid problems with your will. 

Don't Wait Too Long

If you still haven't gotten around to writing your last will and testament, it's time to get that done. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you'll forget about it altogether. If that happens, your family will be left to pick up the pieces once you're gone. If you die without a will, the law dictates how your estate gets handled. Unfortunately, that means that your estate might not be divided up the way you want it to be. That's why you shouldn't wait too long to create your will. Once you have your will, you know that your loved ones are protected once you pass away. 

Include Funeral Plans

If you don't have a will, your family might not know what to do when you die. This is especially true where your funeral plans are concerned. To avoid confusion and unnecessary stress, add funeral plans to your will. You can document all your funeral plans in your will. That means your family will know exactly what you want once you're gone. You can even set aside funds for your funeral in your will. That way, your family won't need to worry about funeral costs. 

Nominate an Executor

If you're ready to create your will, don't forget about the executor. The executor is one of the most important people where your will is concerned. It's the executor who takes control of your estate once you've passed. They'll make sure that all your debts are paid and that your assets are divided according to the contents of your will. If you don't name an executor, the courts will assign someone. To avoid problems, be sure to include an executor in your will. 

Safeguard the Original Will

If you're going to write your will, be sure to safeguard the original document. You want to keep your will in a safe location. You also want to let a close family member know where you keep your will. If you've hired a lawyer to help with your will, leave the original with them. That way, they can process your estate on time once you pass away.


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About Me

Model Law: A Blog About Legal Issues

Hello. I'm Mark and I am the manager of a successful modelling agency. It is my job to ensure that our models are well cared for and generate positive publicity for the agency. Sometimes that can be quite challenging and I spend a lot of time liaising with our legal team. From clients who refuse to honour contracts to models who are facing charges themselves, I am constantly dealing with legal issues. Over the years, I have become quite familiar with a range of laws and legal processes. My friends and family consider me to be a veritable fount of information when they have legal questions. I have decided to compose this blog in order to address the issues I most commonly deal with. Please browse at your leisure.