Do I Need A Will?

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Tuesday, August 31, 2021

A Will is an important document for establishing how your assets are distributed upon your passing. Most people think that they do not need a Will until they own a house or have children. But, it is important to know that Wills can be important no matter what your financial situation is. In fact, it is recommended that you get a Will as soon as possible in adulthood. A Will might contain your wishes for certain possessions, from houses and cars, to family heirlooms and collectibles. 

Wills at the Start of Adulthood

When in your early twenties, it may not seem necessary to get a Will. However, they can be incredibly important in establishing what you want to do with your assets in the event of your passing. Otherwise, it is up to the state to determine. While you may not have much in the way of assets, personal property and bank accounts can be covered by a Will.

Don’t Make a Will Online

You should not make a Will without an experienced estate planning attorney, licensed in your state. They can help you navigate through the intricate laws surrounding your estate. Online Will sites and cookie-cutter Wills may not cover all of your unique needs. Additionally, they may not be set up for your state’s estate laws.

Other Estate Planning Documents

When you meet with a lawyer to discuss creating a Will, they may advise you to create other important estate planning documents. For example, most funeral plans are established outside of the Will, because it is usually read after memorial services. Your estate planning attorney can help you document your funeral wishes when you create your estate planning documents. These wishes may include whether you want to be cremated or buried, what funeral home to have the services at, and whether you have begun to pre-plan for those services. 

Matthew Funeral Home does not provide legal or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal or financial advice.
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Choosing a Casket for Your Loved One

Choosing a casket is an important part of the funeral process. Many families choose the casket after their loved one has passed, but some people choose their casket ahead of time. This article will...

Grief and Tragic Backstories in Media

From superheroes to romantic comedies, many movies and TV shows rely on tragedy to help us connect or sympathize with characters. Grief of some form, or a tragic past leads a character on a path. E...

Alcohol Use and Coping with Grief

While in grief, many people turn to things that can comfort or distract them. It is not uncommon for some people to reach for alcohol in this way. For many people, alcohol can serve as a way to avo...

Apathy and Grief

On this blog, we often talk about how grief is a complicated emotion, and how everyone experiences it differently. However, we don’t often talk about grief and apathy. Apathy is a state of numbness...

Etiquette for Donating In a Loved One's Name

Some individuals or their families request donations to charity in place of flowers during the bereavement period. Most families will appreciate the donation in their loved one’s name. Especially i...

Grief and Losing Online Friends

In our technology-based world, more and more people have developed friendships completely in cyberspace. Consistent communication with gaming partners, online community members, and more allows us ...

Sending Sympathy Meals to a Loved One

When a friend or family member passes away, it is a common practice to send sympathy meals to the immediate family. Sympathy meals show your support for the family while providing them with food. W...

Validating Feelings of Grief

Grief is one of the most complex and misunderstood emotions for people to experience. One way to help your loved one cope with their grief is to validate their feelings. Supporting a loved one who ...

When a Loved One Receives a Terminal Diagnosis

When a loved one finds out that they have a terminal illness, it can be overwhelming to navigate the next steps. It can be difficult to know where to start. Preparations for care, end-of-life servi...

Choosing Your Loved One's Urn

When choosing an urn for your loved one’s cremated remains, there are many aspects to consider. Urns come in an array of shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and materials. It can be difficult to figure ...