Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start Your Will
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start Your Will
Submitted by Guest Contributor:
Matt Casadona
Talking about death is not something we enjoy, but it can’t be avoided. Avoiding the issue of death can leave your family unprepared for your death, which can be detrimental to their wellbeing.
Planning for your end-of-life can ensure your wants are taken care of so you can rest easy knowing everything from your children to your assets is taken care of. If you’re of retirement age, then now is a great time to draft your will. Here’s why now is the perfect time to start end-of-life planning.
Avoid Undesirable Outcomes
No matter how old or young you are, you likely want your assets and property to be handled in a certain way when you pass away. Parents will need to ensure their child’s needs are met—which is one of the reasons now is the best time to create your will.
Many people think a will is unnecessary and your assets will end up with your family if you pass away. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Every state has different laws about what happens when you pass away without a will. Those laws typically leave everything to family members. However, you might not want all of your estate distributed to your family.
Most states divide your assets between your surviving spouse and children, but they don’t specify how these assets are divided. Your children might get most of your assets while your spouse only gets one-third, which can make your spouse’s standard of living change.
There are tons of legal battles that have happened because of these types of situations.
Name a Guardian for Children
Your will lets you name a guardian for your children if you pass away. This ensures your children will be raised by the person or people of your choosing. You can also choose a guardian for your pet.
Not having a will can result in a judge deciding where your children will go if you pass away. For many parents, this is not ideal. There are some relatives you don’t want to raise your children. The judge who decides this has never met you and has no idea how you’d want your children to be raised.
For example, if you want your children to be raised Catholic, you wouldn’t want the court appointing a guardian who doesn’t have the same belief system.
Pet Care
One reason you should have a will, even at a young age, is to guarantee your pets are taken care of if you pass away. Most of us treat our pets like they’re our children too. Unfortunately, laws do not view your dog or cat with the same dedication you do.
According to the law, pets are property, which means it’s crucial to leave a will outlining their care if you pass away. Unfortunately, because pets are property, you can’t leave them money. Luckily, you can leave your pet and money to someone who will care for them. A will allows you to choose someone to care for your dog or cat, which can help place them in another loving home.
Taxes
Paying taxes is one of everyone’s least favorite activities. Drafting your will means your estate won’t have to be sorted out by the courts. This means you can minimize any tax burden on your heirs. Instead of giving all of your assets to your family, you can give money to your favorite charity. It also presents gifts to heirs completely tax-free.
The right estate plan can also reduce exposure to federal and state taxes that can affect larger estates.
Peace of Mind
Most importantly, you will provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind. If you have children and pets, you are constantly worried about them; Their wellbeing is your biggest priority. Wills can help you feel like you’ve done everything in your power to ensure they live happy, healthy lives even after you pass away.
Wills also provide peace of mind to your family members. These are the people who will ultimately be affected by your will or lack of one. Creating a will gives your entire family peace of mind and comfort during an already difficult time. Not having a will leaves them with absolutely zero guidance about what your wishes are and can add to their burdens immediately after they’ve lost a family member. This can lead to more stress and tension among grief.
Wills Can Be Changed
Wills are not something you sign off on forever. You can change your will at any time. Young people might feel a will is not necessary because they haven’t obtained all of the assets they will have in their lifetime.
However, because a will can be revised throughout your life, you should start one right now to assure the assets you do have go exactly where you want them to go after you pass away. There’s no reason to wait until you have more money or more stuff.
Stop Putting It Off
Death is an uncomfortable topic, but it’s inevitable. Instead of putting off your end-of-life planning, you should be jumping on top of it to ensure your family has everything they need to determine what your wishes are when you pass away. Not only that, but it means less involvement with courts and fewer tax ramifications for those you leave behind.
A will can seem unnecessary when you’re young and healthy, but you never know what the future holds. There’s no reason to avoid taking care of your will now so your family can be taken care of when you’re gone.
We all hope for long, healthy lives, but that doesn’t always happen. Creating a will doesn’t reduce your life expectancy; it makes you a responsible parent, pet parent, and adult while giving you and your loved one’s peace of mind knowing you have a plan in place.
Matt Casadona
Matt Casadona has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology.
Matt is passionate about marketing and business strategy and enjoys San Diego life, traveling, and music.
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