For many, the idea of writing up a will can fall anywhere between “humbling” and “downright terrifying” on the emotional scale. It might not be the most comfortable task to undertake, but writing your will is the only way to ensure that your assets and beneficiaries are protected in the event of your passing. While you do have the power to make most of the big decisions as far as your will goes, you will need the help of an attorney to make the document official and enforceable from a legal perspective.
Elliot Wiesner is a New Jersey attorney who is well-versed in the preparation and filing of wills. In order to make the process of having a will drawn up a lot smoother for those out there who are finally ready to take this important step, Wiesner offers the following tips on how to prepare for that attorney meeting:
Know what you have and what you owe
When it comes to your will, in order to cover all your bases, you’ll need to provide a comprehensive list of all of your assets, as well as your outstanding liabilities. This doesn’t mean that you’ll need to turn your home office upside down looking for every last account number, but you’ll certainly want to show up to your attorney’s office with all of the “big picture” information.
Prepare your property information
Property is usually a big-ticket item as far as personal assets go. So make sure to bring along information on every property you possess, whether such ownership is whole or partial. In some cases, you might need to bring a copy of the deed or title to the property; ask your attorney to avoid showing up empty-handed and delaying the process.
Decide who gets what
A big part of writing your will involves allocating your assets as you see fit. To best prepare for your appointment with your attorney, make a list - or come equipped with a mental list - of who should get what. Your attorney can help you draw up the specifics as far as percentage shares go. But you’ll want to at least have a general idea as to where you’d like your assets to end up.
Choose an executor…and a backup
As part of the will-writing process, you’ll need to decide who should act as executor of your will. The job of the executor is to carry out the instructions as specified in your will. The position carries a fair amount of responsibility, and as such, you’ll want to choose a person who is reliable, trustworthy, and, depending on the amount of assets involved, objective. On top of appointing an executor, you’ll want to select a backup executor in the event that your first choice is unable to carry out his duties when the time comes. While an attorney can do his best to point you in the right direction as far as this position goes, he obviously is not likely to have any knowledge as to who your family and friends are. Therefore, you’ll want to show up for that meeting with at least a couple of names in mind.
When it comes to writing a will, you can rest assured that it’s your attorney’s job to tackle the legalese. However, as far as details and certain logistics are concerned, it’s up to you to provide your attorney with the information that he’ll need to cover all of the bases. Remember, if you’re unsure about exactly how to prepare or what to bring with you, then it never hurts to contact your attorney prior to your meeting and ask. After all, regardless of the circumstances, the idea of writing a will can be more than just a bit unsettling. Luckily, some good attorneys like Elliot Wiesner can help make the process as painless as possible.
