What is The Purpose For Having A Will?

[HeIsRisen2018]

Could somebody please explain that to me? I mean unless you have pets or a whole load of cash that you want to give to somebody then I just don't see the purpose for it.

 

[Willie T]

It clarifies wishes you are no longer around to express and explain.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

It clarifies wishes you are no longer around to express and explain.

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Well that's just it. I don't really have any lol I don't even have a prefect whether I want to be buried or cremated. I'll be dead and in Heaven with Jesus anyway so I think that I will go for the element of surprise.

 

[Willie T]

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Well that's just it. I don't really have any lol I don't even have a prefect whether I want to be buried or cremated. I'll be dead and in Heaven with Jesus anyway so I think that I will go for the element of surprise.

THAT, in and of itself, is a particular desire you have, and it should be in writing. Would you like to be "surprised" that your body is sold to a pervert to take home with him? You have to be cognizant of the effect and impact certain things may have on your relatives... including children in your family.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

THAT, in and of itself, is a particular desire you have, and it should be in writing. Would you like to be "surprised" that your body is sold to a pervert to take home with him? You have to be cognizant of the effect and impact certain things may have on your relatives... including children in your family.

That's true. You made a good point but I do believe that is against the law because I do believe that it's considered corpse abuse.

 

[Willie T]

That's true. You made a good point but I do believe that is against the law because I do believe that it's considered corpse abuse.

Obviously, no pervert is ever going to SAY such. Your body may be purchased for "medical research". But, if you left no official documentation as to your explicit wishes, who knows what could happen.

 

[Christ_empowered]

hi. if one is able to accumulate resources in this life, its good to use the remaining fruits of one's labors to help family or a church or...charities, something. not everyone is able to accumulate enough to leave much, of course. even amongst those who are able to build some wealth, few will leave their heirs (or...whoever...) enough to qualify for the (I think now repealed) estate tax and such. and yet...

having a will is one way of being "in the world, but not of it." You don't watch it, the state will seize your goodies. Christians, in particular, are expected to look out for their family members, especially those who are unable to support themselves.

Verna's talking about her will, now and then. I see in her talk...Christian realism, I think. Life has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Unless The Apocalypse happens soon, after she's gone, her adult offspring and grand kids will be in the world, and they could use some monies to get thru it.

 

[Willie T]

Just the computer or phone you are typing on right now could be something a teen would appreciate having. That may not happen if you don't specify it somewhere.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Obviously, no pervert is ever going to SAY such. Your body may be purchased for "medical research". But, if you left no official documentation as to your explicit wishes, who knows what could happen.

Yeah, that's also true, I just don't know whether I would rather be buried or cremated. As long as it's in the same cemetery as my grandparents I'm good. So I guess I should probably write that somewhere in my will. My parents already are fully aware of that just in case I pass while they're still living which I really hope that I don't because as I said before, no parent should have to go through the process of burying their child. I'm also an organ donor so in case I pass at a young enough age my organs will be going to good use and maybe save a life in the process. I'm just not all that sure what else I should write in my will. I'm just afraid that since I'm on disability that I won't have enough money to help pay for a funeral expense if I were to pass on. The computer idea is a good one too though as well as all of my stuffed animals. If I do get buried though, I want my stuffed dog that my grandfather (Pawpaw) gave me when I was three years old to be buried with me.

 

[Willie T]

Yeah, that's also true, I just don't know whether I would rather be buried or cremated. As long as it's in the same cemetery as my grandparents I'm good. So I guess I should probably write that somewhere in my will. My parents already are fully aware of that just in case I pass while they're still living which I really hope that I don't because as I said before, no parent should have to go through the process of burying their child. I'm also an organ donor so in case I pass at a young enough age my organs will be going to good use and maybe save a life in the process. I'm just not all that sure what else I should write in my will. I'm just afraid that since I'm on disability that I won't have enough money to help pay for a funeral expense if I were to pass on. The computer idea is a good one too though as well as all of my stuffed animals. If I do get buried though, I want my stuffed dog that my grandfather (Pawpaw) gave me when I was three years old to be buried with me.

See? You're already beginning to compile a list of things that matter to you.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

See? You're already beginning to compile a list of things that matter to you.

Yes, but it's such a rather short list though lol and like I said, I am very worried about expenses.

 

[Willie T]

Do you want to write final letters or notes to be delivered to anyone? What about photo or pictures you want someone special to have. Do you want to see if it can be pre-arranged for Joe to get a leave to attend a service? (This CAN be arranged if you plan it.)

 

[Willie T]

Yes, but it's such a rather short list though lol and like I said, I am very worried about expenses.

Every "list" begins with only one item.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Do you want to write final letters or notes to be delivered to anyone? What about photo or pictures you want someone special to have. Do you want to see if it can be pre-arranged for Joe to get a leave to attend a service? (This CAN be arranged if you plan it.)

Oh my gosh. Please don't mention Joe. My sweet, darling angel. He would be absolutely crushed if something happened to me. My heart breaks for my baby just thinking about it.

 

[Willie T]

Oh my gosh. Please don't mention Joe. My sweet, darling angel. He would be absolutely crushed if something happened to me. My heart breaks for my baby just thinking about it.

Then DO THINK ABOUT HIM! He should be one of the primary reasons to make out documentation detailing everything about your wishes concerning him.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Then DO THINK ABOUT HIM! He should be one of the primary reasons to make out documentation detailing everything about your wishes concerning him.

It's just that it makes my heart hurt so much. He loves Jesus and believes in Heaven too but he has already been separated from me for five years and right now my main focus is getting him out so we can be back together again. I just can't bear to think about anymore separation for the time being.

 

[Runner]

In my case, our house, vehicles and bank accounts are all in some form of joint tenancy - meaning that the surviving joint tenant (my wife) would immediately and automatically inherit everything regardless of whether I had a will. It's called the "right of survivorship." Other major assets are things like life insurance and pensions where my wife is the designated beneficiary, so these likewise would go to her immediately and automatically upon my death. So my will is pretty much irrelevant if my wife survives me or I survive her (since her will is the mirror image of mine). When my first wife died, the fact that she did not have a will was completely irrelevant. I simply recorded her death certificate with the county recorder (for the property records) and carried on. My will (and my wife's) are somewhat significant, however, if we should die together. Our wills specify that everything we have would go to her daughter from a previous marriage. Wills are also important for things like specifying who you'd like to be the guardian of your minor children, making gifts (bequests) to specific people (or churches or charities), specifying whatever funeral arrangements you want, perhaps setting up trust funds, and whatever else might occur to you.

If you don't have a will (or a living trust, which is an alternative that too many people think is some sort of magic bullet), any property that isn't in some form of joint ownership is according to be distributed according to the "intestacy" laws. These statutes specify the order of priority for people to receive your property - spouse first, then children, parents, siblings, etc. Often this will be exactly what you would have wanted anyway - but not necessarily, so a will avoids this problem. (A fiancé would have absolutely no status whatsoever under any intestacy law that I am aware of.) In a worst-case scenario, your property would "escheat" to the state.

If your affairs are simple, as mine are, your will can be so simple that there is really no reason not to have one. Mine took me about 30 minutes to prepare. If your affairs are complicated, you absolutely need one and probably some estate-planning advice as well - but it is astounding how many multi-millionaires, and even attorneys, die without one.

 

[Michael74]

If you have children some day, a will tells people who you want to take care of them. Your will can state that any money/insurance you have can be used by your children's caretakers for your children's benefit. This makes it easier for your children's guardians to take care of your children.

 

[for_his_glory]

Willie pretty much explained everything as a will is your directive of how you want everything handled after you are gone. Whether burial or cremation, as to what you want done with your personal property, pets, jewelry, vehicle etc. etc. This alleviates others of the burden of trying to decide what to do with you and your possessions after you are gone. You never know what you will accumulate in material items before you die.

 

[Mungo]

In my case, our house, vehicles and bank accounts are all in some form of joint tenancy - meaning that the surviving joint tenant (my wife) would immediately and automatically inherit everything regardless of whether I had a will. It's called the "right of survivorship." Other major assets are things like life insurance and pensions where my wife is the designated beneficiary, so these likewise would go to her immediately and automatically upon my death. So my will is pretty much irrelevant if my wife survives me or I survive her (since her will is the mirror image of mine). When my first wife died, the fact that she did not have a will was completely irrelevant. I simply recorded her death certificate with the county recorder (for the property records) and carried on. My will (and my wife's) are somewhat significant, however, if we should die together. Our wills specify that everything we have would go to her daughter from a previous marriage. Wills are also important for things like specifying who you'd like to be the guardian of your minor children, making gifts (bequests) to specific people (or churches or charities), specifying whatever funeral arrangements you want, perhaps setting up trust funds, and whatever else might occur to you.

If you don't have a will (or a living trust, which is an alternative that too many people think is some sort of magic bullet), any property that isn't in some form of joint ownership is according to be distributed according to the "intestacy" laws. These statutes specify the order of priority for people to receive your property - spouse first, then children, parents, siblings, etc. Often this will be exactly what you would have wanted anyway - but not necessarily, so a will avoids this problem. (A fiancé would have absolutely no status whatsoever under any intestacy law that I am aware of.) In a worst-case scenario, your property would "escheat" to the state.

If your affairs are simple, as mine are, your will can be so simple that there is really no reason not to have one. Mine took me about 30 minutes to prepare. If your affairs are complicated, you absolutely need one and probably some estate-planning advice as well - but it is astounding how many multi-millionaires, and even attorneys, die without one.

Yes, there are considerations such as dying together such as in car crash

If you have grown up children and want to leave money for them you have to consider what you would want to happen to that money if they died before you; perhaps provision for grandchildren.

There are many considerations that good will-writer will ask a client to consider.