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Make Your Wishes Known With a Legal Will

A recent report from Canada indicates that as much as 45% of the population does not leave an acceptable will upon the death of the principal. The consequences of this neglect usually cause ill will among family members and significant others as well as costing the estate large sums of equity.

In cases where there is no will, the court is mandated to intervene and distribute assets according to either state laws or their own judgment, depending on the state and country. In addition to filing fees, court fees can cost as much as $300 per hour. It does not take very long to eat away large sums and if there is a dispute, the fees can quickly reduce the size of the estate.

With today’s complicated marital structures, family compositions and the existence of divorce and emergence of significant others, there are many factors for a court to consider. The only person who really knows what the intended distribution of assets should be is the deceased.

While we do not like to consider our own mortality, life’s events often catch us by surprise. When it comes to the creation of a will, avoidance leads to bitter legal disputes as heirs vie in their own best interests. Family members who have spent their lives holding spouses and siblings together and creating whatever wealth they have been able to accumulate face the strong probability that the family unit will be destroyed by the absence of a duly executed will.

Additionally, the absence of a will and the ensuing court distribution of assets do not generally create the most favorable tax structure. It is all so unnecessary. With a bit of forethought and perhaps some accounting and legal advice, anyone can create a will at any time.

This is the deceased’s opportunity to divide the estate in the manner most fitting and precisely to their liking. The biggest motivation in creating an original will is to assure that your wishes are followed and that there is no mistaking your wishes. Property should be distributed to the heirs of your choosing.

Regardless of the size of the estate, a will makes a lot of legal and common sense. The originator can always change the will as time moves along. Most people review their will periodically and make adjustment as life unfolds. The only question is why wait? Your family and loved one’s futures are at stake and your own personal sense of setting the world right is important. Even if you are young, creating your will today and maintaining it periodically will assure your wishes for the distribution of your life’s work.

The Importance of Writing Your Will

We have all seen the unhappy results of seemingly harmonious families dealing with the death of a loved one and the subsequent chaos over the unstated distribution of the deceased's assets and personal possessions. The ensuing events can involve legal actions, unnecessary expenses and worse yet, irreparable rifts between family members. Some families never get past the damages caused by the deceased's failure to properly draw and execute a will.

The results are contrary to the deceased's wishes and the related legal fees and court costs greatly diminish the value of the estate. Heirs are rightfully trying to read between the lines. They do their best to determine what the deceased loved one would have wanted, but they never seem to agree.

This sad occurrence is the setting for many movies, books and stageplays, but it is painful to watch and endure. Worst of all, it is completely unnecessary.

The preparation and proper execution of a will is an opportunity to settle your estate while you are alive. This is your chance to set the record straight and avoid needless squabbles among heirs in the event an unexpected fatality occurs. The purpose of a will is to eliminate misunderstandings and assure that the precise wishes of the deceased individual are followed.

Many persons feel their estates are not significant enough to merit a will. This is definitely not the case. Regardless of the size of the estate, the probate court will administer the distribution of assets unless a will exists and a court-appointed executor will be paid by the estate, thus diminishing the estate even further.

A proper will appoints the executor, avoids court appointed costs and sets a distribution plan that complies with your wishes. As we never know the course of our lives, it is never too early to create a will, which can be amended as one's life unfolds and changes. The creation and execution of a will does not alter the way you conduct your affairs or buy, sell or distribute assets while you are alive. The will simply protects the ones you love and helps them avoid conflicts after you have died.

Today, there are cost-effective online legal will creation services, that can help you organise your thoughts about your estate and prepare and legally record your will. The process is simple, non-invasive and once recorded reaps tremendous peace of mind to you and your heirs. Wait no longer! Draw your new will today and then enjoy the life ahead.

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