Everyone should make a will. It isn't a morbid thing to do, and in fact is just plain commonsense to do to ensure WHAT you have goes to WHO you want to have it, in due time of course!
Here are a few simple steps for you take:
Decide what to include in your will. To get started, list your major items such as property, shares etc.
Keep in mind that if you're married, each spouse makes a separate will. You can leave only your share of assets you own jointly with your spouse.
Decide who will inherit your property. For most people, it isn't hard to decide who gets what. (But if you are considering leaving your spouse or children out of your will, remember that in many places spouses have a legal right to a proportion of your estate.) After you make your first choices, don't forget to choose alternate (contingent) beneficiaries, too, in case your first choices don't survive you.
Choose an executor to handle your estate. Every will must name someone to serve as executor, to carry out the terms of the will. Be sure that the person you have in mind is willing to act in this capacity.
Choose a guardian for your children. If your children are under legal adult age, decide who you want to raise them in the very unlikely event that you and their other parent can't.
Choose someone to manage the children's property. If you leave property to children or young adults, you should choose an adult to manage whatever they inherit. To give that person authority over the child's inheritance most localities have a law that you can make him or her a property guardian, a property custodian or a trustee.
Sign your the Last Will And Testament in front of witnesses. After making your will you'll need to sign it in the presence of at least two witnesses. If you're using a document called a "self-proving affidavit" with your will (to make things simpler when the Will goes through probate court after your death), your signature must be notarized as well.
Store your will safely. Tell your executor where your will is and how to get access to it when the time comes.
Remember too that there are other types of will. Living wills, for example and video wills, but remember that in almost all cases it is the correctly created written will and testament that carries the legal weight.
Author: David C Skul
Here are a few simple steps for you take:
Decide what to include in your will. To get started, list your major items such as property, shares etc.
Keep in mind that if you're married, each spouse makes a separate will. You can leave only your share of assets you own jointly with your spouse.
Decide who will inherit your property. For most people, it isn't hard to decide who gets what. (But if you are considering leaving your spouse or children out of your will, remember that in many places spouses have a legal right to a proportion of your estate.) After you make your first choices, don't forget to choose alternate (contingent) beneficiaries, too, in case your first choices don't survive you.
Choose an executor to handle your estate. Every will must name someone to serve as executor, to carry out the terms of the will. Be sure that the person you have in mind is willing to act in this capacity.
Choose a guardian for your children. If your children are under legal adult age, decide who you want to raise them in the very unlikely event that you and their other parent can't.
Choose someone to manage the children's property. If you leave property to children or young adults, you should choose an adult to manage whatever they inherit. To give that person authority over the child's inheritance most localities have a law that you can make him or her a property guardian, a property custodian or a trustee.
Sign your the Last Will And Testament in front of witnesses. After making your will you'll need to sign it in the presence of at least two witnesses. If you're using a document called a "self-proving affidavit" with your will (to make things simpler when the Will goes through probate court after your death), your signature must be notarized as well.
Store your will safely. Tell your executor where your will is and how to get access to it when the time comes.
Remember too that there are other types of will. Living wills, for example and video wills, but remember that in almost all cases it is the correctly created written will and testament that carries the legal weight.
Author: David C Skul
Downloadable pdf 
