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Every Family Needs a Will by #Investopedia

Your Will spells out who will get your assets after you die. A will is a legal document that puts in writing your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of any minor children. If you die without a will, your wishes may not be carried out. And your heirs will end up spending additional time, money, and emotional energy to settle your affairs after you're gone.

Obviously no single document can resolve every issue that arises after your death, your will—officially known as a last will and testament can come pretty close. Here's what you need to know about these vital documents.

Factoids

• A will is a legal document that spells out your wishes regarding the care of your children, as well as the distribution of your assets after your death.
• Failure to prepare a will typically leaves decisions about your estate in the hands of judges or state officials and may also cause family strife.
• You can prepare a will yourself, but you should have the document witnessed to decrease the likelihood of successful challenges later.
• To be completely sure everything is in order, consider having your will prepared by a trusts and estates attorney.

More About Why You Need a Will

Some people think that only the very wealthy or those with complicated assets need wills. However, there are many good reasons to have a will.

• You can be clear about who gets your assets. You can decide who gets what and how much.
• You can keep your assets out of the hands of people you don't want to have them (like an estranged relative).
• You can identify who should care for your children. Without a will, the courts will decide.
• Your heirs will have a faster and easier time getting access to your assets.
• You can plan to save your estate money on taxes. You can also give gifts and charitable donations, which can help offset the estate tax.