Raleigh Attorney - Creating a Last Will and Testament
Why You Need a Will
Wills give people the opportunity to legally express how they want their assets distributed, who has guardianship over minor children and what gets donated to charity. Even though there are many benefits to having a will drafted by a knowledgeable attorney, people are still wary of actually doing it.
At Armor Trust Attorneys, we invite you to take control of your end-of-life decisions by executing a last will and testament. Attorney Erica Ferranti helps clients with their comprehensive estate planning and asset protection issues including preparing wills and trusts. We serve clients in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding Triangle counties.
To begin the process of preparing your last will and testament contact our Raleigh Office. Call (919) 571-4398.
Excuses for Not Having a Will
Here are some common excuses people make for not having a will:
- I don't have enough assets to need a will. The amount of assets you have does not determine your need for a will. If you have any assets at all, such as a car, you need someone with legal authority to distribute your assets. A will provides an "executor" who has the legal authority to manage your affairs. If you don't have a will, the state will appoint someone instead.
- I don't need a will because I own everything jointly with my spouse. Even if this is the case, what happens if you both die? Couples dying at the same time is not an uncommon scenario, as grave as that may sound. You need a will in order to designate a guardian for your minor children or designate who inherits what assets. Don't leave it up to chance.
- I don't need a will because my spouse will inherit everything. If you die without a will, the Laws of Intestate determine who inherits your estate. Under North Carolina's intestate laws, a surviving spouse does not inherit everything. If there are children or grandchildren, intestate laws will give them a share of the estate. Don't let the state make this decision for you.
- My situation is simple so I don't need a will. There are almost no "simple" situations. Just having minor children, being married twice, or owning a business complicates things. Don't assume anything is simple.
- I don't need a will because I do not have more than $5 million. A will is not a luxury item and does more than estate planning as discussed already. The assumption that a will is only for the rich is wrong and you may have more assets than you think. Life insurance policies and real property values are part of an estate and should be considered.
- If I execute a will that means I will die. People do not like to talk about their own death. However, everyone has to face their own mortality eventually. Preparing in advance will leave less of a burden for surviving family members.
Contact Us in Raleigh
Contact our Raleigh office at (919) 571-4398 to arrange an appointment with our dedicated Raleigh estate planning lawyer. We will take the time to identify your family's estate planning goals and the risks unique to your situation.