{"id":24328,"date":"2026-04-24T05:52:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/incredipros.com\/?p=24328"},"modified":"2026-04-24T05:52:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:52:36","slug":"what-is-a-will-and-why-do-i-need-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/incredipros.com\/?p=24328","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Will and Why Do I Need One?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019ve seen it in every kind of movie from horror to comedy. A grieving family gathers around a lawyer\u2019s desk for the reading of the will.\n <\/p>\n

In most of those movies, a greedy youngster is after an older relative\u2019s wealth (Knives Out<\/em>). Or the will forces an heir to change their bad behavior to get the inheritance (Easy Money)<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

But those Hollywood wills aren\u2019t like\u00a0wills in real life.\n <\/p>\n

Normal people don\u2019t use their will to manipulate family\u2014which is good because that\u2019s not what a will is for.\n <\/p>\n

Then what\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0a will and why do you need one? Let\u2019s take a look.\n <\/p>\n

A will\u2014or last will and testament\u2014is a signed, legally binding document that describes exactly how you want your assets (like property, bank accounts and other things you own) to be handled after you die. There are several\u00a0types of wills, but they all boil down to the same basic document. And wills are the cornerstone of estate planning.\n <\/p>\n

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Save 10% on your will with the RAMSEY10<\/strong> promo code.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

A will can resolve issues as big as dividing the family farm among five siblings or as small as making sure your nephew gets the pocketknife he admires.\n <\/p>\n

Why Do I Need a Will?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

A will helps you\u00a0protect the people and things you care about the most.\n <\/p>\n

For example, in your will, you can appoint guardian(s) for children under 18 or adult children with special needs. That means you have the power to choose someone you trust to love and protect your kids when they need it most.\n <\/p>\n

Many people avoid making a will because they don\u2019t want to think about dying, but here\u2019s the thing: We\u2019ve done the research and 100% of people who don\u2019t want to think about dying still die.\n <\/p>\n

If you make a will on the other hand, you\u2019re less likely to die. No, just kidding. You\u2019ll still die. But you\u2019ll have peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected because you planned ahead and weren\u2019t afraid of the hard stuff! And they won\u2019t have to deal with all the crazy things that can happen\u00a0if you die without a will.\n <\/p>\n

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What Instructions Are Covered in a Will?\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Of course, a will only protects your family and gives you peace of mind if all the right pieces are there. So, it\u2019s important to make sure that you include at least four things:\n <\/p>\n

An Executor<\/h3>\n

Writing down your wishes only matters if there\u2019s someone to make sure those wishes get carried out. That\u2019s what your\u00a0executor\u2014also called a personal representative\u2014does. They\u2019ll read the will and handle all other end-of-life business the way you wanted.\n <\/p>\n

You might hire a lawyer to do this if your will is complicated, but many people simply choose a level-headed, honest relative. An adult child or close family friend will do. They will be involved through probate and after so make sure to talk to them first, so they aren\u2019t blindsided by the responsibility.\n <\/p>\n

Beneficiaries<\/h3>\n

Beneficiaries\u00a0are the people who will get your stuff. They\u2019re usually immediate family members, but your will can also name extended relatives, good friends, charities you support or anyone else you want.\n <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re married, you could name your spouse as the sole beneficiary, but it\u2019s also good to have a backup plan in case your spouse passes away first.\n <\/p>\n

Things get more complicated when you have kids, especially in a blended family. It\u2019s a good idea to tell them exactly who gets what beforehand to avoid any confusion or resentment.\n <\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t, they could end up in a years-long feud over your favorite pizza pan or your lawn mower. (Yes, those are real examples, and no, your family won\u2019t handle the situation any better once grief gets thrown into the mix.)\n <\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re single without kids, consider which family members, friends or charities you\u2019d like to give your things to. (Just please don\u2019t name your pet\u2014as much as you love Fluffy, a cat doesn\u2019t need your condo.)\n <\/p>\n

Gifts<\/h3>\n

This part of your will spells out\u00a0what each beneficiary gets. If you have special wishes around the gifts you make in your will, you can include a letter of instruction to outline specifics.\n <\/p>\n

For money, you can set aside a percentage or a dollar amount for each gift. For personal items, give as many details as you need to make sure the right item goes to the right person.\n <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re giving your favorite watch to your closest cousin, describe the\u00a0<\/em>watch and name the cousin. Otherwise, your executor may give them the wrong watch\u2014or they might give the\u00a0right<\/em>\u00a0watch to the wrong person.\n <\/p>\n

When you\u2019re deciding who gets what, remember: There\u2019s no wrong answer. It\u2019s all up to you! So take your time, think it through, and leave your stuff to people you think will truly treasure it.\n <\/p>\n

Guardians<\/h3>\n

You only hire babysitters you trust to watch your kids for a few hours, so why would you leave the care of your children up to chance if something happens to you? If your children are minors or have a lifelong disability, make sure your will specifies who will take care of them when you\u2019re gone.\n <\/p>\n

And you\u00a0definitely<\/em>\u00a0don\u2019t want to place your children in the wrong hands. Parents, don\u2019t make this decision lightly. Think about it and talk it over together first.\n <\/p>\n

It should go without saying, but here it is anyway: Talk with the guardians you\u2019d like to choose\u00a0before<\/em>\u00a0naming them in your will! You don\u2019t want a Life as We Know It<\/em> situation on your hands. Springing the emotional and financial burden of caring for your children on unsuspecting loved ones is not cool.\n <\/p>\n

You should also talk to beneficiaries about pet care. Pets are easier to take on than kids, but they\u2019re still a big responsibility. Ask if your beneficiaries are able and willing to take care of Fido\u2014don\u2019t just assume they are!\n <\/p>\n

What Is\u00a0<\/em>Not<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Covered in a Will?\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

A will can tell your family what to do with everything from your checking account to the kitchen sink, but there are still some things it\u00a0can\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0control. Here are some assets that are handled separately from your will:\n <\/p>\n