Lurker here.
Excellent and very comprehensive article that, imho, should be a public mailing of some sort.
A couple of things though.
Always have your Will done by a lawyer. Stay away from the kits you can buy in certain stores and online. I worked in Wills and Estates for over 20 years and the homemade Wills have, without exception, been a nightmare for all concerned except for the law firm handling the estate, of course.
It's a good idea to have as many things as possible in joint names simply to keep an asset, such as a house, out of the assets of the Estate. The more things in the asset column, the bigger the probate fees, the bigger the legal fees and, subsequently, less for the beneficiaries.
Always give a copy of the Will (unsigned) to the Executor. Believe it or not, some people appoint Executors without them even knowing it.
Don't put your wishes for your funeral or how to deal with your remains in the Will. Wills aren't usually dealt with until long after. Just let your family members know what you want.
I have an urge to go on and on about this.
As for the Living Will, a copy should be given to the doctor as well. For example, if there's a "no heroic measures" clause, it's next to impossible to show them the Living Will and expect the doctor or hospital to honor it once the heroic measures are in place. |
