Don't put it off any longer. Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Even if you don't have any substantial assets, you should still prepare a will for your family. It is possible to write down your final wishes without a lawyer present, but it is advisable to seek legal help.

First, calculate your assets. You want to leave clear directions on how to get to the money that you have. Include retirement accounts, properties, checking and savings accounts, as well as any investments that you may have. Include account numbers, statements, contact numbers and addresses of each place that you have money. Don't forget to include assets that should come from life insurance policies. Leave instructions on how to get to the life insurance. Your life insurance and retirement accounts will usually already have beneficiaries listed, but you may want to include information about these accounts so that they don't go uncollected.

Second, decide who you want your assets to be left to. Clear direction should be given as to who shall receive each asset, or a percentage of each asset. You may choose to include instructions as to who will receive what portion if one of your heirs should pass away before you. Would the next heir receive their portion? Or would their children receive it? What about their children? Sometimes there is a long line of people waiting to divide up the assets if the person you intended the money to go to passes away before they receive it.

In your will, you should make sure that clear instructions are given if you have children. Name someone to take care of your children in the event that both parents die. Leave instructions on how you want any monies left to children under eighteen to be managed. Specify what portions can be used for college, vehicles, or insurance.

In the United States, you are required to have two witnesses when you sign your will. Both witnesses have to also witness each other signing as a witness to your signing, so they will need to be present at the same time. Generally, you don't want the witnesses to be people that will eventually benefit from your will. Name someone that you want to carry out the wishes of your will. This person can be a benefactor of the will. In most states, you will need to have a separate notarized form to name an executor, so check with your state laws.

With all of the different laws in your state affecting your will, it is advisable to seek legal advice. Make sure that copies of your will are where the executor can access them. Keep them in separate places and make sure that your executor is informed of where you're keeping each copy. If you're in Utah, contact the Salt Lake City Court Reporters of Thacker + Co for services concerning your will.

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