It’s high time my husband and I put together a will. I think I’ve said I was going to write one over a dozen times, but I’ve never taken the time to actually do it. I know it’s majorly important if one or both of us dies, but it’s just a matter of actually sitting down and doing it. To get myself motivated to write a will for my family, I’ve come up with a scare tactic. It will hopefully help you understand the purpose of a will.
So, let me share with you the tragic scenario I’ve made up.
My husband and I are on a date one Friday evening when it starts to rain. We didn’t plan for rain, so we don’t have an umbrella or rain coats to keep us from getting soaked. As we are walking from the Opera House to our car in the paid parking lot across the street, I get hit by a car, completely by accident (the driver couldn’t put on his brakes fast enough because the rain was so bad), and die. Squashed. Goner. My husband, obviously devastated, has no clue what to do. The last thing he wants to think about is who is going to take care of our children while he is at work every day. Unfortunately, he is also hit by the car, but it isn’t quite apparent how badly hurt he is until he goes to the hospital an hour later. Later that evening, he dies as well. Horrible, right? Nobody wants to think about dying.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILD(REN) WITHOUT A WRITTEN WILL?
It’s bad enough that we died, you wouldn’t think anything worse could happen. But something worse DOES happen. We weren’t prepared to die, so we don’t have any kind of will to state who gets custody of our children. We both have a lot of family (I have 5 siblings and he has 4) and living parents. Don’t you think there might be a little feud happening between our families because they both love the children and want to take care of them? Guess what? Our families can’t really fight about it. It’s not up to them who gets the children. Our children’s fate lies in the hands of the state courts or the social services department. Yikes!
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR MONEY (AND STUFF) WITHOUT A WRITTEN WILL?
Luckily, we don’t have to worry about the things we left behind, because that stuff will automatically be given to our children. Wrong! Not only will our children’s lives be put in jeopardy, but our stuff will as well. We own a house, three cars, a motorcycle, and have money in our bank account. The probate courts have the right to distribute the house, cars, motorcycle, and money how they see fit. Whoa! Every state has its own way of dealing with it, but you never want the courts to be in charge of your stuff. At least I don’t.
Do you understand now why you need to protect your family and your stuff before you die?
If I didn’t scare you into making your own will right this very minute, I’m not sure what will. I definitely scared myself, and I’m going to get the process rolling here!
Are you in the same boat as us? Let us know your situation and resolve to actually write your will for the sake of your family.
Sources (websites I got information from):
“What If I Die Without a Will?” from CNN Money
“Inheritance Rights” from Nolo – Law for All
“Why Every Parent Needs a Will” from Baby Center
Photo credits: Family by leandrosciola; Toy Car by nicubunu; Money Wads by vokimon; My House by Anonymous
(All of the previously mentioned can be found on OpenClipart)
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Ahhhhhhh! This is so true! I’ve been thinking this very thing for months! Right before my little guy was born I vowed to myself I would get a will, but he’s over 8 months old and life happens and it’s not done. 🙁 Thank you for the reminder! I NEED to do this!
It is soooooo hard to get important things done, but once you have kids, it’s almost impossible! Good luck!