3 Things You Should Do When It's Time To Create Your Will
Now that you have decided to create a will, it's time to consider all the options. Here are a few important things you should do.
Consider an Estate Sale
You can liquidate some of your assets, especially things like artwork, household furniture, and jewelry, by holding an estate sale so there is less to include in your will when all is said and done. Instead of designating a bunch of belongings to beneficiaries, you can sell your stuff and leave your beneficiaries cash instead. This will help eliminate any fighting about who gets what and can help ensure that your beneficiaries are willed the same amount, which can be important if you're leaving most of your assets to children or siblings.
You can hold an estate sale now or designate a loved one as an executor who can hold the estate sale after your passing. Once the sale has ended, the money earned from the sale can be distributed to beneficiaries according to your will stipulations.
Notify Beneficiaries
It's a good idea to notify your beneficiaries of your will while it's being created so they are aware of its existence and can gain some insight into what's inside the will. If your beneficiaries know what to expect, they will be less likely to argue over the specifics. And they'll be prepared for the inheritance that they receive after your passing.
Notifying beneficiaries of your will while it's being created will also give you an opportunity to get feedback about who wants what when it comes to things like family heirlooms and valuable artwork. If someone does or doesn't want an asset that's of value to you, it's good to know ahead of time to so you can find someone who will appreciate the asset as much as you do.
Hire a Probate Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do when creating your will is seek probate law services to work with throughout the process. Not only will a probate lawyer help ensure that your will is legal and binding, but they can work with your executors and beneficiaries to settle all of your final affairs after your death. If a disagreement takes place, they can represent your executor to make sure that your final wishes are realized.
They can work with beneficiaries to make sure that they get their inheritance in a timely manner. Your probate lawyer will even make sure that all of your debts are paid before your will is legally settled. And you can count on your representative to handle all of the legal paperwork and contracts that are associated with your will and estate. All you'll have to do is make sure your probate lawyer understands your wishes. They'll do all the legwork from there.
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