It is not necessarily a pleasant thing to think about, but we will all pass away eventually. If you have family heirlooms that you want to protect and pass down, then you need to make a plan for them. A Rockland County will attorney can help you protect your family heirlooms and ensure that they go where you want them to go. Whether you have valuable items to pass down to your children or an item with plenty of sentimental value that you want to leave to a friend, drafting a will can make it easier to manage everything that you will leave behind.
Do I Really Need a Will to Distribute My Family Heirlooms?
Some people think that a document like a will is not really needed. They can just tell people what they are leaving them, right? Maybe they can just make a simple list.
The problem is that financial matters can often cause conflict when a loved one passes away. If there is no legally enforceable will, people could object to how the family heirlooms have been split up. It can cause plenty of stress for your family, especially those closest to you.
So it is not only a good idea to have a legally enforceable will, but it is also wise to talk to family members about what you plan to leave them. This can help everyone avoid surprises later. It can also make it easier for people to adjust and come to terms with what they will and will not receive after you pass.
Is a Will Enough to Protect My Family Heirlooms?
Sometimes a will may not be enough. In situations where family heirlooms are quite valuable, you may be better off establishing some sort of trust. You can still leave specific items to certain people, but a trust makes it easier to distribute assets. You can run the trust yourself, if you are able to, or a trustee can be appointed.
Do I Need an Estate Lawyer?
Making a will is not as simple as writing down what you want to happen to certain possessions when you are gone. There are certain things that make a will valid and enforceable. For example, did you know that a will needs to be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses in New York? Without the witnesses, a will cannot be enforced.
An estate planning lawyer can help you ensure that everything is in place and that all agreements are legal and enforceable. You do not have to worry about your family members fighting over anything when you are gone. You do not have to worry that they will stress and wonder exactly what you wanted to do with all of the family heirlooms.
Reach Out to Our Law Firm
Now that you know a bit more about the value of an estate lawyer and how we can help you protect your heirlooms, contact the Lauterbach Law Firm. We can answer any questions that you may have about wills and estate planning.
