The 3 Things You Should Include In Your Will

Out of all the estate planning documents you should develop, a will may be the most important. To ensure that your will satisfies every single one of your estate planning goals, there are things you must include in it.

Going over the three things you should include in your will, and speaking with a Florida estate planning lawyer at Millhorn Elder Law Planning Group will ensure that your beneficiaries receive the assets you wish to give them.

01: All Of The Assets You Wish To Give Your Beneficiaries 

Your will must include all of the assets you wish to give your beneficiaries. This includes your house, your car, the electronics you own; along with anything else that you want to give your beneficiaries.

If your will does not include all of the assets you wish to give your beneficiaries, there is a pretty good chance they will still receive them.

Even though the above is true, there is a chance they might not. If someone knows where those assets are, they could steal them – few people would know, since they weren’t clarified within your will.

Since every will is public when it goes through probate, as per the state of Florida’s laws, there is a risk your assets could be robbed after your passing. If you want to keep your assets private, a trust may be worth looking into. 

02: What Each Beneficiary Will Receive 

Outside of listing all of the assets you wish to give your beneficiaries, you must go over who each asset should be given to.

A good example of the above is as follows: if you would like to give your car to your daughter, you must outline this in your will.

In the event that your will clarifies the assets you wish to give, but fails to clarify who these assets should go to, the state of Florida will make its own decisions.

The state of Florida may not make decisions that align with your wishes. Just as an example, they may give your car to your son, due to their intestacy laws. 

03: A Caretaker/Guardian For Your Children 

If you have any minor children – or children that can’t take care of themselves – you must outline a caretaker/guardian. Not doing so could lead to your children being given to someone that cannot take care of them.

A good lawyer will help you outline a caretaker/guardian, in a manner that ensures this particular wish will be upheld.

On your end, though, you should make a list of the people you would like to take care of your children. These could be relatives or close friends; among others.

You should speak to these people and, in doing so, see if they are okay with the responsibility. They may not ever need to take on the responsibility – if they are minors, for example – but it is still very important to do this. 

Speak With A Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Today 

A proper will makes it easy to transfer your assets to those you love. Speak with a Florida estate planning lawyer today and we will help you develop the will you need. 

Sources:

law.cornell.edu/wex/will

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/0732.html