Estate Planning Lawyer in Boston Massachusetts

Wills Drafting & Benefits of Having a Will in Massachusetts

While some people do put it off, writing your will should not be
something you procrastinate on. It’s also not something only those in
the later part of their life should think about. In fact, you should
write a will as soon as you have any real assets or property to your
name. There are a number of benefits to having a will in Massachusetts,
and drafting your will is actually a fairly simple process in most
cases. Rachel Matos is a wills lawyer in Boston & Norfolk MA and can assist in drafting all types of wills.

A Will Makes Probate Easier

When you die, your estate goes to probate.
This process can take quite some time if you die without a will. That
is because the court then must determine who your heirs are, who is
qualified to serve as your estate’s personal representative, and how
your assets should be divided. This can take months or years, and during
that time, your heirs will not be able to use any of your assets or
sell any of your property. A will speeds up this process because it
lists your heirs, your personal representative, and how you want your
assets dispersed. The court simply needs to validate the will and,
unless there are any objections, follow your wishes.

Your Will Also Helps Avoid Family Disputes

By having a written list of your last wishes, you can also help your
family avoid disputes and arguments. Yes, there could be hurt feelings
if you specify that one of your children gets something that another
wanted, but your family will be more understanding and accepting if they
know that was what you wanted. There is also no question as to what you
may have wanted done with certain assets or who you want to serve as
your personal representative. The period after you pass is going to be
very emotional for your family as it is without the additional stress of
dealing with the many questions that occur when an estate has no will.

Drafting Your Will

Drafting a will is not a difficult process, but you do want to work
with a legal expert to make certain the court will recognize your will
as valid. There are a few things you will need to determine before you
can create a will. First, you will need to decide who your heirs are.
Most often, this is your spouse and your children, but you can leave
your assets to anyone you want, including other relatives, close
friends, business associates, and charities.

Next, you will need to decide on a personal representative. This is
the person who manages your estate. If you are married, this will likely
be your spouse, but it does not have to be. Again, you can select
anyone you want as long as they are over 18 years old. If your estate is
rather large or if you want to guarantee your heirs that there will be
no favoritism, you can appoint your personal lawyer or accountant to
manage the estate.

Finally, you will need to decide which assets you want to leave to
which heir. Some people choose to simply split their estate evenly,
leaving it up to the heirs and the court to come to an agreement on who
gets what. Others may want to leave specific assets to specific people.

No matter what you want to leave to which heir, you need to work with
an expert to ensure your will is valid. If you are ready to write your
will, Contact a wills lawyer in Boston & Norfolk MA today at the Law Office of Rachel M. Matos today for help. Call 508-386-9094.