You don’t get a say in the distribution of your assets unless you make a plan and get it written down.
What happens to your assets when you pass away isn’t as simple as the people important to you automatically getting what they want, according to the New Jersey Herald in “Put your plans in writing.”
If you do not have an estate plan, then your possessions will be distributed according to the laws of your state. The government will decide who gets what.
Sometimes that might be the same person you would choose, but other times it might not be.
There is no reason anyone should ever take the chance. It is much better to write your plans down.
Write down what you want.
In some places, you might be able to get away with just writing everything down yourself, but do not rely on that.
It is much better to go to an estate planning attorney and have formal plans drawn up.
This ensures that your wishes are followed, because the attorney knows how to draft and execute documents that will be considered legally valid in your state.
An estate planning attorney can advise you on creating an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances.
Reference: New Jersey Herald (Sep. 12, 2017) “Put your plans in writing.”
