3 Benefits of Having a Will

Writing a will probably isn't very high up on your to-do list, especially if you're young and healthy. But a will is very important no matter what stage of life you're in.*

If you have minor children or assets of any kind, you will be doing loved ones a great kindness by creating a will that can guide them.

Here are three great reasons you should stop procrastinating and create a will.

You name the guardian(s) for your children. It’s wrong to assume that guardianship will automatically be granted to a grandparent or close relative should you and your spouse both die without a will. A court could decide to grant guardianship to a relative you wouldn’t have chosen to care for your children or to an institution or other party. If you have children from a previous marriage, things could be even more complicated. A will ensures that your children will be taken care of according to your wishes.
Avoid family conflict. Many people assume that when they die, everything they own goes to their significant other. This isn’t always the case. If you have a life partner and aren’t legally married, your surviving partner, no matter how long you’ve been together, could get nothing. And if you don’t have a surviving partner, having a will can help ensure that your family isn’t left fighting over who gets what.
Protect and allocate your assets. “Intestate” is a term used for someone who dies without a written will. When this happens, the intestacy succession laws of the state that you reside in determine how your assets, including your property, bank accounts and valuables, will be distributed. If you haven’t appointed an executor or personal representative in your will, a court-appointed administrator will decide what happens to any property you don’t own jointly with someone else. Without a will, there's no guarantee that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. The bulk of your estate could pass to an estranged sibling or a spendthrift child.

Ready to sit down and draft that will? You may need some help getting started. For information about retirement and investment services, call 781-698-2236 and take advantage of our free consultation services. Check out the other resources we have that'll help you with many facets of your estate planning.^†

When you're ready to plan for the future, download our Savvy Guide to Estate Planning. Our free guide takes the fear and worry out of creating an estate plan and tells you what you need to know to get it done. Download your copy here.

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*This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

^†Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Hanscom Federal Credit Union is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Hanscom Investment Services, and may also be employees of Hanscom Federal Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Not Insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency / Not Hanscom Federal Credit Union Guaranteed / Not Hanscom Federal Credit Union Deposits or Obligations / May Lose Value