Most Americans do not have a simple will as part of their estate plan. You might believe that a will is only for the rich and famous, and not the average person who has a far smaller net worth. On the other hand, you may think that a will is entirely unnecessary because you have a trust, jointly owned property, or have named beneficiaries on your insurance.
So, do you really need a will? The short answer is “yes.”
In fact, everyone who owns anything or any major or even minor value should have a will. This is because a will puts you in charge of directing others regarding your wishes and directs the distribution of your estate upon your death. Without a will or any other estate plan – a situation referred to as “intestacy” – you have no control and your state's rules determine who gets what after your death. Even if you have a trust, jointly owned property, or have named beneficiaries on your insurance, a will is an important, even if it's just a “backup” plan.
As a practical matter, the simpler your affairs are – typically, the fewer assets you own – the less complicated your will and overall estate plan is going to be. Surprisingly to most, it does not take much to complicate your estate. For example, if you have minor children your will must name a guardian for those children in the event of your death. Likewise, if you have a relative who is disabled, elderly or without the financial sophistication to manage your assets after your death, a will allows you to name someone to watch over these assets for your loved ones in a special needs or supplemental needs trust. And, these are just two examples of the many things that can complicate your affairs and your estate plan.
Many people believe if they have a will isn't necessary if they've made beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, property deeds, or retirement accounts. While it is true that those particular designations will ensure the right people you elected will receive benefits or inherit those assets, the distribution stops there. If there are other assets that you own – such as a car, a china set, or jewelry to name a few – or if you would like to give part of your estate to a charitable organization, a will is essential to your estate planning needs.
Estate Administration
When a person dies without a will, the estate goes into administration. Administration is a judicial proceeding by which the court decides the rightful heirs and distribution of assets of the deceased. Going through administration without a will can be both more time-consuming and expensive than going through probate with a will. This is because your will can waive certain probate requirements (like having the executor post a bond or obtain judicial approval to have an estate sale).
At the same time, administration without a will follows New York's intestacy laws, which may likely result in a less-than-perfect split of assets that not only may not be in line with your wishes but also may leave many surviving loved ones unhappy. Consequently, the creation of a will can fill in gaps of property assignment or plug holes in beneficiary claims on life or other insurance policies.
Family dynamics also play a part in estate planning, something state intestacy laws do not account for. Many people have blended families. There may have been second or third marriages. Older couples may choose to cohabitate after a death or divorce and never legally get married. You may have to treat your children differently on current accounts due to distance. Without a will, those assets will not be distributed fairly.
It is important to note that a will can also include a no-contest clause, reducing the likelihood that potential heirs from arguing over its contents, something that simply isn't possible if you don't make a will.
In Conclusion
Creating a will as part of your estate plan is primarily about passing your wealth to your loved ones after you die since a will only “works” after it's gone through the probate court process. It really is about giving you both independence and control of what happens to your assets after your death.
Instead of leaving the distribution of your property to New York intestacy laws, a will can put your wishes down on paper and direct a selected person to carry out your desires exactly as expressed. The Browne Firm can help by offering its services to help you draft or revise an existing will.
For more information about what The Browne Firm can do for you and estate planning in Westchester County, contact us online or call (914) 290-5622 for assistance!
