3 Reasons You Need a Will

August is national "Make a Will" month.  (Personally, I think November would be better...perhaps the onset of a long winter might be more conducive to a mindset recognizing mortality...but no one consulted me on the choice-of-month question.)  Regardless of when the discussion of a "will" or an "estate plan" arises, one thing is unfortunately true: Many people do not have one. Here are 3 reasons why you should:

1.) You Have Assets

Yes, you do.  One of the most common excuses for neglecting even a basic estate plan is the "I don't have an estate" argument.  Rubbish.  Unless you are full-on Appalachian Trail counter-societal nomad (I respect that), you have undoubtedly acquired some "stuff."  That "stuff" is either useful in its current form or going to generate cash when sold, and the "stuff" (or the proceeds) is going to go somewhere after your untimely demise.  A will lets you determine who gets what and how much they get.  It may not seem like a lot now, but (spoiler alert) people tend to acquire more stuff the longer they live.  Without a will in place, the state determines how YOUR stuff gets distributed.  Which brings me to my next point...

2.) The Law is Out-Dated 

Each state has basically the same "type" of rules for asset distribution when someone dies without a will.  They generally work like you assume they would, which means siblings, biological relatives, etc. generally have priority.  That's all well and good in some cases, but our modern "families" are beginning to look a bit different than when these laws came into existence.  More blended families, step-nephews, and non-married partners exist today.  If you find yourself in any situation other than a "traditional nuclear family," there is a good chance someone you would like to include in your asset distribution will be left out because the state laws don't account for them.  A will gives you the opportunity to account for the relationships YOU prioritized in YOUR life.  

3.) You're Polite

Ok, maybe not always...but let's be frank here:  Having a will or not having a will REALLY doesn't impact you a whole lot.  When you pass away you'll either be in heaven, hell, somewhere between, nowhere, everywhere, or wherever else your religious/science/philosophical position allows for.  A basic estate plan is helpful for your loved ones...you know, the people who are here dealing with the grieving process of your passing while you are somewhere riding unicorns with your great grandfather to his favorite dragon layer.  Regardless of what you believe, "death" is a real bummer of a concept here on Earth.  Someone you really care about is gone, and you'd much rather be free to miss them than figure out what needs to happen with the tangible things they acquired in life.  Having a will means your loved ones will have one less thing to worry about during an already difficult time.  

So there you have it.  You have things that the state will give to people you don't want to have them and everyone will think you are rude.  If you don't want that to happen, check out our "I'm a Grown Up" package and get on it.  Happy August.