subject: The Importance of Having a Will [print this page] The Importance of Having a Will The Importance of Having a Will
A lot of people fail to understand the importance of a will and the benefits to be gained from having one. There are people who don't care enough to write one. And that's where they are mistaken, because wills are important, and they are more important if you have children and you want to be free to make your own decisions even when you're not around.
So what is a will, exactly?
In a will, you can name specific people who you want to be the heir/s to your property and estate. If you want your house or other assets to go to certain people or beneficiary organizations, you can directly say so in your will. There is a certain advantage to having a will. Without one, the heir/s to your property will be chosen by the court of law. While the court usually chooses members of your family, their decision may not be of your preference. With a will, you have complete freedom to choose exactly who you want to inherit your property and how it will be divided between them. There is an added risk that the persons chosen by the court might not be who you prefer, so it is better to be on the safe side.
There is also another advantage. Through a will, you can also choose a guardian for your children who are still minors, still under eighteen years old. Who will raise your children is an important matter, one that is not to be taken lightly. With a will, you get the freedom to choose a trusted person, a trusted friend or relative to take care of your children until they are of legal age after you and/or your spouse's death. With a will, your wishes will be acted upon as they are written in your will; you have complete liberty over your decisions.
