Although many people understand the importance of wills and trusts, many tend to put off having them written. In some cases, they wait until it is too late.
Wills are not something needed only if you are wealthy or affluent. Wills are necessary for anyone who owns assets of any kind. Whether it is a home or personal property (such as furniture, jewelry, or cash), a will or a trust can ensure these items are left to those you wish without creating conflict among your family and others important to you.
Many individuals cannot distinguish the differences between wills and trusts. It is easy to confuse these terms. A trust is a property management arrangement whereby one person (the “trustee”) manages assets on behalf of others (the “beneficiary” or “beneficiaries”). A will, on the other hand, is a legally binding testament that directs how to distribute one’s possessions after the creator of the will has passed as well as appoints someone (the “executor”) to carry out these directions. Upon the person’s passing, the will must go through a process (called “probate”) whereby its veracity and authenticity can be determined. Following this verification process, the executor of the will becomes responsible for the estate and for fulfilling the deceased individual’s last requests. While creating a will under the guidance of legal professionals is often a straightforward process, the problems that can arise in the event that a will does not exist or where its validity cannot be confirmed can create needless and sometimes devastating harm.
If you are interested in wills or trusts to use as a tool to bequeath your possessions to your loved ones, The Law Offices of Slater, Slater, Rosenberger & Schulman, P.C. are available to assist you. Our Wills and Estate Planning Division is dedicated to ensuring these documents will be drafted to your specifications and needs. This will give you the peace of mind to know that your wishes will be followed in your absence. If you are interested in having an attorney draft your will, please call us at (800) 251-6990 or fill in the form below and someone will contact you promptly.