We are jumping into the arena of “I don’t need a will because…” again. This time, we are talking about women who say they don’t need a will because their children will take care of them.
Well, that may be true. Or maybe it isn’t.
Let’s look at moms who have more than one child. Then we’ll take a look at moms who have one child. We’ll share our take on why moms need wills, regardless of how many kids they have. We’ll share why YOUR KIDS want you to have a will!
Moms who have more than one child. You need a will.
Here are only some of the reasons why you need a will:
A will, and other important estate planning documents like an advance directive for health care and durable financial power of attorney, make it clear which child will do what for you if and when you need support and help.
A will makes it very, very clear that when you die, a particular child or person (maybe not a child) will take of the tasks required and unavoidable that need to be done to pay your final debts, to bury your body or cremate your body, to sell your home, to distribute out any inheritance.
A will makes it very, very, very clear who gets what. Even if you think they all know. Even if you had those conversations around countless holiday tables. Make it clear to them in writing.
A conversation with an experienced estate planning attorney helps guide you through choosing which child to help you with the different things that may come up as you age and when you die. You don’t know what you don’t know in many arenas. Not every one of your children will be equal to every task. And it is ok to choose!
A will should inspire you to have conversations with ALL of your children about your choices, your things, your estate plan, your needs, your wants.
Our goal at Atlanta Wills and Trusts Law Group, with every mom who does estate planning, is that their need for help as they age and their death DO NOT CAUSE ISSUES AMONGST THEIR CHILDREN.
Moms who have only one child. You need a will, also.
Here are some of the reasons why you need a will:
Just because you have only one child, doesn’t mean they know what to do. A will and well thought out estate plan can help them.
Because it will be only them, and no siblings, laying out as much as possible is a gift to them. It will help them and they will need that help!
Having a clear will, advance directive for health care and durable financial power of attorney will help avoid any issues with YOUR siblings who think you need help or your only child need help.
What happens if your only child cannot help you? Maybe they live far away, have health issues, have a child with special needs which requires their time, what if they have a job that requires a great deal of their time, what if they have a life that doesn’t lend itself to doing everything themselves. Have a plan for backups to your only child!
It is no secret that at Atlanta Wills and Trusts Law Group we love moms, we love helping moms with estate plans and we believe deeply that moms need wills.
Give us a call if you are a mom and do not have a will or any other estate planning document. We can help. It is what we do!