Why You Really Do Need a Will- You know the saying: the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Now that tax season is in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to stop putting off planning for the other inevitable meaning it’s time to have an estate plan created. A recent article, “Don’t Have a Will Yet? Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think,” from Real Simple, makes a clear case for why everyone needs to have a will, health directives, and all the documents of an estate plan.
Estate planning is for everyone. It’s for people who are rich in loved ones, family and friends. If you don’t have all these documents, properly prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney, you’ll have made it so much harder—if not impossible—for them to make decisions for you or follow your directions.
This is a must-do for any adult with people they love in their life. Many put it off, thinking it doesn’t need to be done until they are nearing retirement or have accumulated great wealth. Not true.
Without a comprehensive estate plan, the court and strangers may end up in charge of your estate. Loved ones who want to be there for you will need to go to court to apply for a guardianship, and they may not win. This becomes a huge burden for people who want to help but can’t.
Spouses, adult children, parents, or other family members aren’t automatically permitted to make medical decisions for you in case of incapacity. They need to have a healthcare proxy, also known in some states as a healthcare power of attorney or an advance healthcare directive. If you are living with a long-term partner but have never been married, you won’t have any rights to their medical decisions without the correct legal documents.
Why You Really Do Need a Will
In the event of incapacity, loved ones face major hurdles. Making car payments, paying the mortgage, paying credit card bills, or paying student loans will not happen if a power of attorney isn’t in place. A frequently seen issue comes with incapacity when a spouse or partner seeks to access paychecks. The company can’t release funds or discuss health insurance without a power of attorney and other documents.
People who die without a will leave it to state law and the court to figure out how to divide their assets. Relatives in the bloodline have priority over friends. A distant cousin could end up owning everything you ever worked for and not your best friend of five decades.
This is not a difficult problem to solve. Having everything created in advance with the help of an estate planning attorney will allow those you love to take care of your finances and be involved with your medical issues if you are incapacitated. With a will and trust, your assets will go to people of your choosing.
It’s easy to procrastinate. However, life has a way of moving faster than we anticipate. Call an estate planning attorney today. Your loved ones will know you cared enough to do the right thing.
Schedule your phone consultation: THE LAW OFFICES OF CLAUDE S. SMITH, III
Why You Really Do Need a Will
Reference: Real Simple (April 12, 2026) “Don’t Have a Will Yet? Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think”
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