A will is a document that explains what your final wishes are pertaining to property, who the guardian of your children would be and other important ownership after the passing of the individual. Without this, your entire family would have to deal with all the decisions with who gets what which is already difficult and many cases that aren’t cheap. A will is very important to make things organized and less strain on everyone in the family tree. Look at frequently asked questions for more important information related to this topic and to see how important it is to get a will.

With a testament trust, you’re even missing more of any assets that the Will isn’t able to list which can cost thousands. A testament trust is formed after a persons passing and is instructed or assigned according to the last Will. It is also considered a third-party if it is someone assigned as a trustee rather a family member. Then that person would have the right to move the assets around. Without this, you’re losing more money.

What You Can Do

Things you should provide is to assign an executor and a trustee. Put any accounts like investments, bank information, etc on the Will and assign to who obtains it. You need to also make sure you have guardianship if you have children to other guardians who you are close with. Also ask what type of healthcare you want and other information for your lawyer to get the best service. With all these things that secure safety of everything you list on the Will, your family can have an easier time with going through any conflict that could of happened if you didn’t prepare a Will. It’s only a few fees towards the lawyer but all worth it for a less strain experience.

FAQ

1.  Who Inherits When There is no Will?

In estate planning with no heirs all of the decedents assets is determined by the court or distributed to organizations that provided these assets in the first place. With the estate, it’s also determined with who receives the household but more funds and fees will be included. Usually the spouse or any other close relatives would inherit these assets but again, fees is included.

2. Where Do I Keep My Will?

You should store the will in a safe but should be fireproof in case of a possible fire within the estate. You would have all the documents you need to save your money from this sort of incident. A safe deposit box should be avoided because your bank can limit access to the account after your death. At least one person you trust should know where your will is or file it but will be responsible as the representative unless announced in the will itself. Most important is that the will must be in an envelope.

3. Is my Will valid if I move to another state?

The final Will you decide to document or file is valid across all 50 states and if you ever do move an estate to another state, there’s only filing your new estate in the place your moving to with simple instructions provided. It’s a different questionnaire depending on the state you decide to move too.

4. Should I make a copy of my Will?

Do not make more than one signed and witnessed original of your will. You may, however, give an unsigned copy to your proposed personal representative and your spouse, friends or children.

5. What is an Estate Settlement?

An estate settlements is the process of a decedent’s estate being transferred  to an assigned trustee or beneficiaries. There’s also planning of who obtains all these assets but expenses that go with it all.

6. Do I Need to Have My Will Notarized?

No you don’t. According to NY State law, you don’t need to notarize your will to make it real. Though when it comes to self proving, a notary is necessary. Self proving is accompanied by a witnesses for no oral testimony being needed to be admitted to the official probate. With a self-proving probate, can quicken the process since witnesses signed it.

7. How much is a probate?

The price of the probate in NY, it go from $300 to $800 an hour. The service fee for the estate attorney can be over $3000.

8. Can an irrevocable trust be amended?

One thing you can do by is to remove assets you’ve written within the trust. You will still have the trust on file but it’ll be one that is empty. There’s also booking an appointment with the court through a trustee since he or she is responsible for making any adjustments as well in the trust even if it’s irrevocable. As long as there’s a good reason for the modification.

9. Can I collect unemployment if I go to school?

To receive unemployment you need to document that you’re looking for work and enrolled in school to receive some benefits.

10. How long do you have to work to collect unemployment in NY?

According to the official ny.gov website, you need to be working for at least a month and in file at least $2,700 in wages. Your base period also needs to be higher than your quarter wages.