Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and the future of your loved ones. Including this legal document in your estate plan will allow you to outline your final wishes and leave instructions as to how they should be carried out after your death. If you need to seek counsel from a reliable attorney in the South Carolina Midlands, look no further than The Law Offices of Adrian L. Falgione, LLC. Since 1989, Attorney Falgione has helped many clients resolve matters involving inheritance rights. Below, he discusses some of the top advantages of drafting a will.

Estate Litigation and Probate Attorney Explains 3 Benefits of Having a Will

1. Determine How Your Assets Will Be Distributed

Writing a will is an effective way to provide for your family after you’ve passed. It gives you the chance to name beneficiaries and clearly direct in writing how your estate is distributed. This minimizes questions concerning the management of your assets and affairs and makes things easier for your family in their time of mourning.

2. Appoint Guardianship of Minor Children

If you have minor children, one of the most crucial reasons to prepare a will is to state your preference of who you believe should be appointed as Guardians for your minor children. Without your input, the court will step in to decide who will raise your children, and it is possible they could end up in the care of someone you would never have chosen.

3. Speed up the Probate Process

Another benefit to drafting a will is that it will make the probate process flow smoother and quickly. Probate is a formal court procedure that administers an estate. If there isn’t a will to refer to, the court will hand down orders on how to divide your estate, which may result in long delays.   

In the absence of a will, your family and assets may be left vulnerable to litigation brought by estranged spouses, disgruntled relatives, or others. Hiring an attorney to help you create a valid document that is capable of standing up in court will bring you the ultimate peace of mind. We would caution you about falling prey to the temptation to purchase a cheap computer program or forms sold advertising themselves as “do it yourself forms”.  It has been our experience that attempts to utilize such forms without the legal and practical experience to know the definition and application of specific provisions often leads to litigation after someone has passed.  Contact The Law Offices of Adrian L. Falgione LLC at (803) 957-6543, or visit their website for additional information.