Benefits of Legally Executed Will

When we pass away, if we have not legally executed a will we are “intestate” rather than “testate” and the state provides a default plan for the administration of our estates according to the intestacy statute. If our family situation and desires for the administration of our estate are relatively conventional, that may not be a problem because the default statutory scheme reflects the most common family preferences. However, families are coming in ever-increasing variety. What is conventional may not be best for your family. Some of the advantages of having a legally executed will are the following:

• Distribution of your estate according to your plan. Perhaps you would like your estate to be distributed in a particular way.
• Designation of a personal representative of your choice. Perhaps you would like your estate to be administered by a particular person.
• Nomination of guardians for disabled dependent persons. Perhaps you have minor children or disabled adult children for whom you want to nominate a guardian to serve after you have passed away.