Got Kids? Got a Will? If the Answer is no, you need to get on this.

I bumped into a friend at the Glastonbury Fine Art Show over the weekend who said "Steve, I need to see you about a will."  She has two children, a son who is 14 and a daughter who is 19.  She and her husband have gone 19 years with children and no will.  They are not alone

According to a recent survey by RocketLawyer nearly 50% of  Americans  with children don't have wills.  Do you? 

Guardianship issues.

If you die without a will, your choice of who you want to be the guardian of your children will be unknown and unenforceable.  If there is a surviving parent, that parent will be the guardian, but what if your child's father or mother is out of the picture?  If you don’t have a will, it will be up to the probate court to appoint a guardian and it could be someone you wouldn't have picked and the process may take weeks or months.   It is easy to name a guardian in your will, and we recommend that you also appoint a standby guardian who can take over in the event of incapacity without the need for a prolonged probate court proceeding.

Do you want your kids to get a big fat check when they turn 18?

You've have probably protected your kids with insurance, but do you want them getting a big fat check when they turn 18? Do you want the probate judge to be the one who decides who will be in charge of those funds while your kids grow up?  You can specify who you want to manage the money and how and when your insurance proceeds and other assets will be used for your kids benefit by setting up a trust in your will (called a testamentary trust) or Revocable Living Trust.  Aren’t you a better able to chose this important person than a probate judge?

 One reason that many people don't do a will is because they can't pick a suitable person to the guardian of their minor children.  I have developed a guide to help parents select a guardian, and I'd be happy to send it to you if you'd like.  Just send me an email at  Steve@legaladviceforlife.com and I’ll send it out at no cost and no obligation.

 You owe it to your kids to create a will.  And when you do you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have fully protected the one’s you love.