Introduction

Hi there! Not only did I retire as an estate attorney but I learned the hard way about wills. My family went through a mess when my uncle died without one. Trust me, you don't want that headache! When someone dies without a will (that's called "intestate"), the government decides who gets their stuff.

Not ideal, right? Here are five huge reasons why having a will is way better than leaving things to chance.

1. Control Over Asset Distribution
Having a will lets you decide exactly who gets what. Without one, your state has rules that might give your stuff to people you wouldn't pick.

Example: My uncle Jim never made a will. He lived with his girlfriend for 15 years, but guess what? She got nothing when he died!

Everything went to his brother who he hadn't talked to in decades. His girlfriend had to move out of their house within 30 days. If Jim had just written a simple will, his girlfriend would have been taken care of.

If you die without a will:

• Your unmarried partner might get nothing
• Your stepchildren could be left out completely
• Your favorite cousin or best friend won't get those special items you wanted them to have
• That charity you care about won't get a dime

2. Guardian Designation for Minor Children
A will is where you name who should raise your kids if something happens to you. Without one, a judge decides - and they don't know your kids or what you'd want.

Example: My neighbor Sarah and her husband both died in a car accident. In their will, they named her sister as guardian for their two kids. The sister already knew the kids well, lived nearby, and shared their values about raising children. Without that will, the court might have picked someone else, or the family might have fought over the kids during an already terrible time.

Without a will:

• The court picks guardians without knowing your wishes
• Your kids might end up with relatives you wouldn't choose
• Your children could get split up between different homes
• There might be a messy court battle between family members

3. Executor Selection
Your will lets you pick someone you trust to handle everything after you're gone. This person pays your bills, sells your house, and makes sure everyone gets what they should.

Example: When my friend's mom died, her will named my friend as executor. This was perfect because my friend knew where everything was, understood her mom's wishes, and was good with money. Without a will, the court would have appointed someone - maybe even a stranger who charges by the hour!

Without a will:

• The court picks an administrator who didn't know you
• That person might not understand what was important to you
• They might charge your family big fees
• The process takes much longer and costs more

4. Reduced Time and Costs
Wills make everything faster and cheaper after you die. Without one, your family deals with more court dates, paperwork, and lawyer bills.

Example: My cousin Mark died with a clear will, and his family wrapped everything up in about 6 months. But when his friend died without a will the same year, his family spent almost 2 years and over $15,000 in extra legal fees sorting everything out.

Without a will:
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• The process can take twice as long or more
• Legal fees can eat up thousands of extra dollars
• Your family has to jump through more hoops
• Your loved ones deal with stress when they're already grieving

5. Charitable Giving and Legacy Planning
Wills let you support causes you care about and leave a meaningful mark on the world.

Example: My teacher Mrs. Johnson loved animals. In her will, she left $5,000 to the local animal shelter. They used it to build a new cat room named after her. But if she died without a will, that money would have just gone to relatives, and the shelter would have missed out.

Without a will:

• Your favorite causes get nothing
• You can't create scholarships or memorials
• Special family traditions might end
• Your hard-earned money might go to distant relatives you barely know

Conclusion

Making a will is one of the kindest things you can do for your family. It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Even a simple will is WAY better than nothing at all.
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Don't put it off like my uncle did. Take care of the people and causes you love by making a will soon. Your future self (and your family) will thank you!

We're moving on!

Yup, Barb and I are retiring.​

​But we can still help you. By referring you to an estate attorney — that we trust.

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