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Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make in Your Will

It’s never too early to establish a will. With a solid will in place, you’ll know that your wishes will be carried out should you die unexpectedly. When you’re in the process of establishing your will, it’s important to be very thorough to avoid making errors. An elder law lawyer Dallas, Texas from  Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC.can help ensure your will is error-free. Here are some common mistakes you don’t want to make in your will.

Failing to Update Your Will After a Major Life Event

It’s likely that you’ll experience at least one or two major life events in your life. Whether it’s a divorce or birth of a child, you should update your will as soon as possible. If you don’t, you assets may go to the wrong people. For example, if you get divorced and don’t remove your ex-spouse from your will, they may likely receive property or other assets after your death. Contact a Dallas, TX elder law lawyer if it has been years since you made out your original will in order to review and make sure this is still how you want your estate settled.

Spelling a Beneficiary’s Name Wrong

As you’re making out your will, you’ll want to double and triple check that you spelled every beneficiary’s name correctly. Believe it or not, this is one of the most common mistakes in wills. It might seem like a minor issue, but it can actually cause a lot of stress for a beneficiary. The courts may ask for the beneficiary for a number of different documents to prove they are who they say they are.

Not Talking to an Executor Before You Appoint Them

An executor is responsible for making sure that the wishes in your will are carried out after your death. It’s a very big job, so you want to choose a person who can actually do it. Don’t assume that the person you want to appoint as you executor will want to be responsible for the job. For example, the executor you want to appoint may be too busy to assume the responsibility. That’s why it’s important to talk to the person you want to name as your executor beforehand and explain all the duties of the job. Your elder law lawyer in Dallas, TX can provide you with a list of what those duties are.

Not Naming a Guardian for Minor Children

If you have minor children, you’ll definitely want to name a guardian in your will. You want the right person to talk care of them should you die unexpectedly. This person should be someone your children know well and feel comfortably around. They should also have the finances to properly take care of children. If you don’t appoint a guardian, the courts will choose the guardian.

Leaving Out Certain Assets

It’s important to include all your assets in your will, even the smaller ones like your jewelry box. Otherwise, the court will have to decide who gets your assets and will drag out the entire process. If you include everything in your will, you can save your family a lot of stress.

If you want to establish a will, you should contact an experienced elder law lawyer Dallas, TX residents trust from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. soon. They can help you create a valid will and provide you with valuable legal advice along the way.