“Death is harder on those who are left behind.”

– Robert La Fosse

This quote from La Fosse is even more relevant when a deceased person does not leave a will outlining their wishes, distributing their property (heirlooms, cash, land, etc.) to close family, charities, or other causes, and appointing an executor to manage their estate. Watch the video in 1 minute or read the post for more:

A will is a written document in which you stipulate to whom you will bequeath (give) your possessions or parts thereof after your death. You can create a will if you are of sound mind, have not been legally declared incompetent, and are at least 16 years old. An individual or a couple can draft a will, either separately or jointly in the same document.

What else do you need to know about making a will?

• It should be as simply stated as possible
• It must be legible
• The will must include a date.
• At least two other people must witness and sign each page of the will.
• The witnesses can not be a beneficiary or executor of the will

What to Stipulate In a Will?

You can write a will for your movable property (vehicles, books, cash, works of art, etc.) and real estate (houses, land, etc.).

The terms of your will are not limited to your possessions only. For example:

• You can nominate a person you prefer to appoint as the guardian of your minor children if both parents pass away.
• You can instruct your family on your burial arrangements in a separate part of the will, as families sometimes read wills after the burial.
• You can also organize your “digital legacy”. Your publications, blogs, social media etc. can be a tribute to your life but they can also serve as a painful reminder of your loss. Writing down passwords for your digital networks and designating a “manager” for all this information will make things much easier for those close to you

Bottom Line:

Writing a will can save your loved ones a lot of heartache and uncertainty. It also guarantees that you distribute your assets as you intend.