Why You Need a Will and How to Make One Easily

August is Make a Will Month, and I want to share with you some of the benefits of having a will and why it is essential for almost everyone. Here are some of the reasons why you need a will:

• You can choose the guardians for your children. If you have young children or a young family, a will allows you to decide who will take care of them if something happens to you and your spouse. Without a will, a judge will make this decision for you, and it may not be the person you want or trust. A will gives you peace of mind that your children will be in good hands.
• You can direct your assets to your desired beneficiaries. Some of your assets, such as life insurance or retirement accounts, may have beneficiaries designated outside of your will. But other assets, such as your bank accounts, your house, your car, or your personal belongings, may not have such designations. Without a will, these assets will be distributed according to state laws, which may not reflect your wishes or needs. You may want to leave some of your assets to certain family members, friends, or charities that would not inherit from you otherwise. A will ensures that your property goes where you want it to go.
• You can reduce the costs and hassles of probate. Probate is the legal process of settling an estate after someone dies. It can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if there is no will. The average cost of probate in Oklahoma is $15,000, and the average hourly probate attorney fees are $150 - $300. A simple will can save your family a lot of money and trouble by simplifying the probate process and avoiding unnecessary disputes or delays. This is the last thing your family needs when they are grieving your loss. They don’t want to deal with courts and lawyers when they should be focusing on healing.

These are some of the main benefits of having a will, but there may be others depending on your situation. If you don’t have a will yet, please make one as soon as possible. It is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones.

If you need help with making a will, you can use online services like Mamabear, a great website that offers affordable and convenient wills for couples and individuals. If you’re interested, I can send you a link where you’ll get 20% off the $250 fee for a husband and wife to get one. Just let me know in the comments or send me a message.

I hope this blog was helpful and informative for you. Please share it with anyone who may benefit from it. And remember, August is Make a Will Month, so don’t delay! Make your will today!