Bergen County Will Lawyer

Wills are the cornerstone of any comprehensive estate plan, and importantly, wills aren’t only for the wealthy–they’re for everyone. If you’re considering drafting a will, please don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer from The Law Offices of Colin M. Quinn today.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Draft My Will?

Though you can, technically, draft a will without an attorney, this is almost never a good idea. Hiring an attorney can protect you from several potential legal pitfalls, including the following:

• Your will may not be compliant with state laws
• Your will may be ambiguous and provide unclear instructions on how your assets should be distributed
• Your will may overlook important details
• Your will may contain errors, resulting in a distribution of assets that don’t align with your wishes
• Your will may be considered invalid and unenforceable in the eyes of the law

All of these pitfalls can ultimately result in significant headaches for your beneficiaries, thereby defeating the purpose of writing a will altogether. For these reasons, among others, you should strongly consider hiring a seasoned Bergen County estate planning lawyer to help you draft your will.

Do I Really Need a Will?

Drafting a will is one of the most important things you can do in your lifetime. Some real-world examples of why you should consider drafting a will are as follows:

Example 1:

You don’t have a Will, you die and your family is left to deal with the consequences. Your “Estate” owes taxes to the government, your grief-stricken spouse is overwhelmed by the legal notices and paperwork in the mail every day; your creditors are calling the house, and your kids are left wondering, “Why did you leave us with this mess?”

Example 2:

Your single uncle died and you are the executor or administrator of his estate. The only problem is you don’t know where his Will is; he kept everything in boxes, never threw anything out, and never told you where he kept his important papers. You have a full-time job and a demanding family life. What do you do?

Example 3:

Your mother is nearing the end of her life. She has been in the hospital on a respirator for the past three weeks. The medical providers are asking about a Do Not Resuscitate Order, a Living Will, a Medical Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, HIPAA Releases, and Advanced Health Care Directives. You are the oldest child so you take it upon yourself to confer with your mother’s doctors and start making her “end of life” decisions. Your brothers and sisters are upset because the well-intended decisions you are making for your mom are different than the decisions they would make. You are being pressured by doctors to make medical decisions on behalf of your mother. Your sister is crying. What do you do?

The stress and aggravation of these tough and emotionally charged decisions can be lessened by seeking the counsel of an experienced estate attorney. By planning your estate now with an estate attorney and executing a Will, Power of Attorney, Living Will, Advanced Health Care Directive, and other necessary estate documents reflective of your wishes, you can save your loved ones time, money, and a lot of heartache in the end. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, but it should not be made more difficult than it already is. Our attorneys are here working for you trying to make your most difficult days easier.

What Your Will Can Cover

Creating a will is a powerful step in managing your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. With careful planning, a will can cover a wide range of directives, including the following:

• You can specify how your money, real estate, stocks, bonds, and personal property should be distributed among your beneficiaries. This ensures your assets go to the people or organizations you choose.
• If you have minor children, your will can designate a guardian for them in the event of your untimely death, making sure they are cared for by someone you trust.
• Your will can include provisions for charitable contributions, allowing you to continue supporting causes important to you even after you’re gone.
• You can make specific bequests of particular items of personal or sentimental value to family members, friends, or organizations.
• A will allows you to appoint an executor, who will be responsible for managing your estate, paying debts and taxes, and ensuring your will is carried out as you intended.
• Instructions for Debts and Taxes: You can provide instructions for the payment of your debts and taxes, helping to alleviate the financial burden on your estate and beneficiaries.
• While not legally binding, you can express your wishes for your funeral arrangements within your will, providing guidance to your loved ones during a difficult time.
• Your will can include provisions for the care of any pets, ensuring they are looked after by someone you trust.
• You can provide instructions for the handling of your digital assets, including social media accounts, digital photos, and email accounts.

Contact a Bergen County Estate Planning Lawyer Today

The bottom line is that you should never craft a will without a knowledgeable, experienced estate planning lawyer in your corner. Contact The Law Offices of Colin M. Quinn today.