Everyone needs a will! A will is an important estate planning document that is used to decide what happens to your assets after your die. But, there’s more to a will than the distribution of assets.
A will can help survivors in a number of ways, including:
1. Appointing an executor
With a will, you are able to appoint an executor (trusted helper.)
- It is a good idea to appoint an executor who is organized, keeps good financial records, and is able to communicate well.
- This trusted helper will handle a variety of tasks such as paying last bills, gathering and protecting assets, distributing assets to beneficiaries, and filing last tax returns.
- The trusted helper is in charge of submitting your will to probate court in order to have your will validated.
2. Distributing your assets
Your will is a mini instruction book that explains how your assets will be distributed
- If you have a revocable living trust, the beneficiary of your will is your trust.
- If any assets are not titled in your trust, your will is used in the probate process transfer assets into your trust.
3. Choosing a legal guardian for your children
Your will lists the guardian that will care for your children after your death
- It is best to choose a guardian who will raise your children as you would.
- The ideal guardian is someone who loves your children, is responsible with money, and is able to give lots of love and care to your children.
- You are able to decide if the appointed guardian is responsible for the assets that are left to help care for your children.
If you want to create a will or have questions about a will, consult with an experienced estate planning attorney.
John Potter is an Estate Planning and Elder Law attorney in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with offices in Ballantyne and Huntersville. John has been designated as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation and a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar.
John’s practice focuses on the use of Wills and Living Trusts in Estate Planning to help individuals protect their families and preserve their legacies after their deaths, but his practice also focuses on the critical issues of protecting individuals with dementia or other diminished capacity, assisting individuals in qualifying for Medicaid and other government benefits to offset the costs of long-term care, and providing special needs planning.
John is admitted to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio, and he is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John’s practice focuses on the use of Wills and Living Trusts in Estate Planning to help individuals protect their families and preserve their legacies after their deaths, but his practice also focuses on the critical issues of protecting individuals with dementia or other diminished capacity, assisting individuals in qualifying for Medicaid and other government benefits to offset the costs of long-term care, and providing special needs planning.
John is admitted to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio, and he is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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