I am not a lawyer, but my legal advise to you is that you need a will. Everyone needs a will and even those who do not think they need a will – need a will. I am convinced that most people avoid the thought of a writing a will because they 1) feel nothing will happen to them soon, or 2) because they just do not want to think about death. Either way, you need a will.
Today I was in a meeting and the presenter shared a true case that has just recently occurred. He shared how a mother gave birth to a son and the father was quickly convicted of a drug offense and sent to jail for a long time. At no time did the father have any interaction with his son and in no way did he give financial support. While he was in prison, the mom and the son were involved in a terrible car accident.
The mom died instantly or very shortly after the accident. The son lived for another twelve hours or so before he then died. The father was still in prison.
Fortunately, the mother had a will. In that will, she left all she had to her son who survived her for some twelve hours before he passed. Since the son did not have a will, and under that state’s laws, the entire estate and monies won as a result of the mothers accident was awarded to the father. It was told that there were millions of dollars – and they all went to the father, a convicted drug felon, sitting in jail. I am quite sure that the mother nor the son wanted that to happen.
Everyone needs a will – and that includes you. The will that mother had was a simple will put together by a computer or off the internet. Are they sufficient, yes. Are they “air tight”, maybe not.
Check with your legal professional as to what you need to get in place for you and your family. Get you will taken care of today.