Prepare for the Unexpected: 5 Tips for Making Your Will
Prepare for the unexpected! Have you ever heard that expression, "prepare for the worst and hope for the best?" Those are words to live by when it comes to making your will. A will can protect your assets when you no longer can speak about them. This important document can help ensure that your wishes are met and that your precious belongings go to the loved ones you wish them to go to. Our attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few tips for making your will. If you need assistance with this important process, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch at 573-346-7231 today.
Choose your attorney wisely.
Making your will is a vital process and an attorney who has years of experience can help guide you through. He or she can help you avoid making costly mistakes and protect you from potential consequences of not having a good will.
Pick your beneficiaries and keep them up to date.
You must keep your beneficiaries up to date. For example, if you have your husband marked as a beneficiary but you get divorced and forget to make that change - when you pass away your listed assets would still go to him.
Choose your witnesses carefully.
In the state of Missouri, you must have two witnesses sign your will. It is really important that these are people you can trust with vital information.
Have a backup executor in mind.
The executor of your estate is the person who puts your will into effect. If you list an executor but that person passes away before you do and you don't have someone named as your executor when you pass away - this could make the process of distributing your assets to your beneficiaries harder than it has to be.
Appoint a guardian for your minor children.
If you have kids under the age of eighteen years and don't have a will, we strongly urge you to have a will dram up as soon as possible. Name your guardian, the person who would care for your children in the event you pass away before they turn age eighteen, in your will. This should be someone you trust tremendously.
For many people, it may be unpleasant to think of what will happen after they die. This is why it can be easy to put more immediate concerns ahead of estate planning. We strongly advise you have a will drawn up if you haven't already and that you keep it updated as life changes happen. There can be negative consequences to not having a valid estate plan.
If you have questions about this process, call our estate planning lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks today for your free consultation today at 573-346-7231.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
5 Tips for Making Your Will
Choose your attorney wisely.
Making your will is a vital process and an attorney who has years of experience can help guide you through. He or she can help you avoid making costly mistakes and protect you from potential consequences of not having a good will.
Pick your beneficiaries and keep them up to date.
You must keep your beneficiaries up to date. For example, if you have your husband marked as a beneficiary but you get divorced and forget to make that change - when you pass away your listed assets would still go to him.
Choose your witnesses carefully.
In the state of Missouri, you must have two witnesses sign your will. It is really important that these are people you can trust with vital information.
Have a backup executor in mind.
The executor of your estate is the person who puts your will into effect. If you list an executor but that person passes away before you do and you don't have someone named as your executor when you pass away - this could make the process of distributing your assets to your beneficiaries harder than it has to be.
Appoint a guardian for your minor children.
If you have kids under the age of eighteen years and don't have a will, we strongly urge you to have a will dram up as soon as possible. Name your guardian, the person who would care for your children in the event you pass away before they turn age eighteen, in your will. This should be someone you trust tremendously.
Need an Experienced Attorney in Camden County to Help You Make Your Will?
For many people, it may be unpleasant to think of what will happen after they die. This is why it can be easy to put more immediate concerns ahead of estate planning. We strongly advise you have a will drawn up if you haven't already and that you keep it updated as life changes happen. There can be negative consequences to not having a valid estate plan.
- Your estate may be subject to higher taxes.
- Disputes may arise among heirs.
- Property becomes subject to a division based on the intestate laws of the state of Missouri, not the wishes of the decedent.
If you have questions about this process, call our estate planning lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks today for your free consultation today at 573-346-7231.
Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020 GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
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(573) 346-4411 - Fax
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