Wills

What Is A Will, And Why You Need One

A will, or last will and testament, is the “Old Faithful” of the estate planning field. It is the fundamental cornerstone foundation of most people’s estate plans, and few need anything more.

It helps that wills are a straightforward and easy-to-grasp concept. It is a document that says who, among those you know and love, should inherit what among your possessions, properties, and assets after your death.

Want to keep your property from being divided among your children? You need a will.

Want to include donations to beloved charities in your estate? A will will do the trick.

In theory, anyone can draft a will, have it signed, witnessed, and notarized, and be confident that its instructions will be obeyed after they die. The multiplication of online services to assist will writers has only made doing so easier. But that does not mean doing so is always a good idea.

Why You Want A Will Drafted Or Reviewed By An Estate Planning Lawyer

Your will is so much more than just a piece of paper. It influences everything that happens to your assets and wealth after you pass. A simple mistake, a failure to take into account requirements or even doubts about its authenticity can undermine it completely.

Your will needs to be examined and approved during the probate process in order to be implemented. If it is deemed invalid or if a disgruntled relative successfully challenges it, it might be partially ignored or thrown out altogether. This is why you need to take its preparation and drafting seriously.

While it can be tempting to try and draw up your own will or use an easy or suspiciously cheap online service to prepare your will, it is much safer to work with a trained and experienced estate planning attorney. A skilled lawyer like Kathleen Gomez will be able to help you turn your wishes and objectives into a concrete document while ensuring that your will is correctly drafted to meet all probate requirements.

Another advantage of working on your will with a genuine attorney is they can help you update it regularly whenever life sends a curveball your way to ensure it continues to reflect your wishes and situation.

When Is The Right Time To Write Or Update Your Will?

If you do not already have a will, then the right time to contact an attorney about writing one is probably now. If you are an unmarried young adult without much property or wealth, you might not need one, but if you are married, have kids, have a complicated family situation, own property, or have significant assets in your name, you should really already have a will.

Even if you have had one drafted in the past, that does not mean the will currently matches your situation and wishes.

It is always a good idea to go over your will and any other estate planning documents on a regular basis. Far more vital, however, is doing so whenever your financial or family situation changes. If you have recently gotten married, had a child, gotten a divorce, lost a loved one, acquired property or major assets or had a change of mind about your estate plan, now is definitely the right time to reach out to a lawyer near you to discuss your will.

Why Choose Kathleen Gomez To Be Your Wills And Trusts Lawyer

When working on any part of your estate plan, from a basic will to an advanced trust, you want a skilled and experienced lawyer on your side. Kathleen Gomez, however, brings more than just her skill and experience to the table.

After serving as a police officer for 20 years, Kathleen Gomez decided to fight injustice on another front, helping those with limited or no access to essential judicial services like estate planning or family law representation.

As a result, not only is she a lawyer familiar with the reality of life in Minnesota for all classes, but she is also deeply anchored in her local community in Otsego and the broader Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. Most importantly, though, Kathleen Gomez prioritizes making her estate planning services, like the drafting of wills and trusts, accessible and affordable.

Call Us Now If You Need To Write Or Review Your Will

If you pass away without a will or with a will that does not represent your real interests or beliefs, you don’t get another chance to make them known. You have to seize the opportunity now. If your will is not up to date, or if you do not have one yet, you should contact our estate planning law firm as soon as possible.

All it takes is a simple phone call to (763) 284-5552, or an online appointment to find out everything we can do for you, starting with a new will or a review and update of your existing one.