Five Reasons to Die Without a Will or Trust2 min read

There must be powerful reasons to avoid a Will, because so many people die without one. Just in case you happen to be one of the six out of ten people who will depart without a Will, here are five reasons to confirm your position. You can use these to help you sleep at night

1. The Court can do a better job deciding how to disburse your assets than you can. Probate Court will try to contact “next of kin” and decide who receives what from the estate. Plus, in Michigan, your spouse may not get your entire estate. They are entitled to a certain dollar amount with the balance split between the spouse and children.
2. The Court can choose a better Executor to handle your estate during probate than you can. Will they pick someone that cares about you or your family? Will someone outside the family be appointed? Why leave it to Probate Court when you can decide who would best represent your interests?
3. The Court can choose a more caring guardian for your minor children than you can. You have a loving, caring family. Your brother is doing well financially but you don’t always see things the way he does. Your sister would raise your kids with the same values that are important to you. Who do you want to be guardian if something happens to you? Who will the Court choose? Complete your Will/Trust so your wishes are known!
4. The government will use your estate tax dollars more efficiently than your favorite ministry/charity would use a charitable bequest. Your estate will go to one of three places: your family, Uncle Sam, or your most beloved ministries. How do you want your estate divided? With careful Christian Estate Planning you can influence the amounts that each receives.
5. Your grieving loved ones will be better off looking after your affairs without your Will.  What will they choose to do? Will the family all agree on who gets what items or will arguments result from disagreements over your stuff? Will lawyers get involved? Are there “special” items” you want given to specific people? How will they know your wishes if you haven’t completed your Will or Trust? Reduce the family stress and make your wishes known via a Will or Revocable Living Trust.

Powerful reasons to not have a Will? Probably not, but people quietly affirm those reasons as long as they put off the minor inconvenience of writing a Will. Write your Will or Revocable Trust now. Your family will appreciate it and the ministries you remember with a gift will benefit for years to come. If you are not sure where to start, we are here to assist you.

Reposted from the Church Extension Fund blog.

_{Photo (c) welcomia/iStock}