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Writer's pictureBrock Foley

I am Young, Do I Really Need a Will?

Generally, a young adult probably doesn’t need a will. Intestacy, or the courts method of distributing property when a person passes without a will, is becoming more efficient and it is likely your property will go the same place it would if you wrote a will.


That being said, it is always better to have a will and it really isn’t that hard to create one, so why not just do it?


Especially considering that as a young adult, using a free form you find on the internet is probably more than enough. And yet, there are times when, as a young adult, you may want to consider speaking with a lawyer to create a will.


For example, you will want to have a will created if you: 1) have children, 2) purchase a home, 3) want your property and assets to go to a person who is not a member of your family, or 4) have a pet that you want to go to a certain person if you were to pass away unexpectedly.


 

Children:


In a will you can appoint guardians for your children. This is important because you want your children to be raised by people you trust to give them the best upbringing possible, should you pass away unexpectedly. If you do not have a will the court is left to decide where your children will go.


This is not the ideal situation. It is better to just have a will prepared, especially as creating a will is so easy and affordable. With a will, you appoint your guardians and can then enjoy the peace of mind of knowing, no matter what happens, your children will be in the best possible hands.


Home Purchase:


For many of us our home is one of our largest assets, if not the largest. We love our homes and we put our work and effort into creating a beautiful and happy space. It is completely natural that you would want to ensure your home goes to the right place, just in case something happens to you.





Intestacy works fine if you do not have very many assets, but once you have large assets, like a home, it is probably time to create a will. You want your family, or whoever your heirs are, to enjoy the benefit of your hard work and money.


A will can ensure that your home will end up in the right place.


You Want to Control Where Your Assets Go:


If you want your stuff to go to your parents or siblings your assets will likely end up where you intend through intestate succession.


Under intestate succession; if you are married, your spouse will get everything; if you have children but no spouse, your children get everything; but if you have no children and no spouse, your parents and siblings will get everything.


Which is probably what most people want. But, if you have friends or other relatives that you want to pass belongings to, you need to create a will. A will is necessary to ensure you have control over when your assets end up.


Pets:


We care deeply about our pets and want to ensure they end up somewhere they will be loved and cared for. Again, unless you feel the court will put the pet in the right place, you need a will to ensure your pet goes where you want it to go.


 

In short, as a young person you do not necessarily need a will, in most cases you will live a long happy life and create a will at a later date. Even if something terrible happens, the court can distribute property just fine.


But once you start taking big steps in life, or if you start to feel concerned about what will happen to your assets after you die, it is time to create a will.


Again, creating a simple will is easy and affordable. Please contact Hometown Law if you want us to help you create a will!

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