Dying without a will can cause your family to go through at least a year, maybe longer, of probate, fights over property distribution, and, in many cases, litigation against each other. This is probably not the legacy you have in mind, which is why this aptly-titled article, “You need a will and here’s why,” from Lincoln County Leader, is a good read.

Dying intestate, the legal term for dying without a will, means the local jurisdiction will be in charge of how your estate is handled. Each state has its own laws for distribution. In most states, distribution is based on kinship or bloodlines, so if you have relatives, they may be first in line for your inheritance.

In some states, when there is no will, the surviving spouse receives 50% of all assets, and the remaining assets are divided equally among the children. In other states, the spouse gets 30%, with the children receiving the balance. You must have a will if you want your spouse to receive 100% of your assets. If you have children but no spouse, they will usually inherit everything in equal shares.

If you have no children and no spouse, property distribution can become more complicated unless you have a will. The court may give your parents your estate if they are living. If your parents have passed, your siblings are the next likely heirs. The court will seek to identify your closest relatives by kinship, and they may inherit all of your worldly goods.

If there are family heirlooms, you want to give to a particular child, or if you want to have a portion of your estate go to a charity, it won’t happen without a will.

Today’s family often is a bit more complicated than in the past. Blended families need to have estate planning so biological children aren’t disinherited. Estranged relatives could end up with your precious heirlooms unless a will is in place.

What if your children are minors? A will is used to name a guardian for children, so they are brought up by the people you trust. The court will decide who will raise your children if you don’t name a guardian in your will. Also, minor children cannot inherit property, so if you die, your spouse will get their share as per your state’s laws, and the children’s inheritance will be overseen either by the court or by a person named by the court.

Having a last will and testament allows you to direct who is to inherit your assets, from personal items to financial assets. But you need to do more to protect yourself and your family, and this is part of the estate planning process.

When you sit down with an estate planning attorney, they will also review matters, including beneficiary designations (i.e., the people named to receive assets upon your death on life insurance, retirement accounts, and certain financial accounts). They’ll also advise you on documents like a Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney, which allow you to name someone to take care of your financial and healthcare matters if you become incapacitated.

Taken all together, an estate plan provides security for your family, protects you while you’re living, and creates a legacy of caring about the ones you love.

Reference: Lincoln County Leader (Aug. 4, 2024) “You need a will and here’s why”