Whether the individual barely owns anything other than clothes and some furniture or has millions in the bank, there is the need to prepare a last will and testament. This is where the expertise of a wills attorneys in Ottawa, KS will make a difference. Here are some of the issues to discuss with the attorney before the first draft of the will gets underway.
Compiling an Inventory
Before there is any point in trying to create the last will and testament, it makes sense to make an inventory of everything the client owns. This includes financial assets, artwork, various types of collections, and even personal belongings. The goal is to determine what sorts of assets need to be specifically addressed in the terms of the document. A wills attorneys in Ottawa, KS, cannot provide this type of advice without having a complete picture of what the client actually owns.
Deciding Who Gets What
With an inventory in place, there is the matter of determining who gets what. Keep in mind that the purpose of a will is to ensure there is no doubt about what the individual wants done with the assets. In some cases, certain things will be left to a relative. Friends may also be the recipients of certain items. There is even the option of leaving some assets to a charity or some other type of non-profit organization. An attorney can work out the details of how to ensure everything gets in the hands of the right people.
Minimizing the Chance of Someone Contesting the Will
If there are relatives who may choose to contest the will, it makes sense to anticipate those actions and take the proper steps. For example, provisions can be included in the text of the will that specifically forbid any asset going to certain people. While it may seem mean-spirited to include such a provision, doing so leaves no doubt the client did not want that person to receive anything from the estate.
For those who would like to prepare a last will and testament, visit us and schedule an appointment. Once the will is drafted and reviewed, there will be no question about how the property should be divided when the individual passes on.
