Planning an estate can be unpleasant to think about — going over worst-case scenarios is usually something reserved for nightmares, not something you would consciously attend a meeting to discuss.
In my experience, the most common reason parents don’t get wills is because they cannot agree on guardians for the kids. Some people opt not to make a will because all of their assets are in vehicles that have named beneficiaries. Other people say they don’t know who they want to be their executor. And still others simply don’t want to think about their own demise.
I think the most convincing argument to make a will is actually a question: Do you enjoy going through metal detectors? Do you want your family going through metal detectors to get into court?
The inconvenience of going to court and the expense of hiring an attorney are nothing compared to the emotional toll that dying without a will has on the survivors. Every day, families strain under the heavy responsibility of dealing with an unplanned estate. It should be noted that, even with the best of intentions, estates that have wills often end up in court over things that were not accounted for in the document.
That doesn’t bode well for people who think they can just wing it.
I think as women take their place around the conference table at work, we should also become familiar with the conference table at the attorney’s office. As breadwinners, we have a responsibility to our loved ones that must be fulfilled from beyond the grave. It’s about tying up loose ends and being stronger because of it.
So instead of giving your children agita, give them the location of your will.
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