If you value your great grandfather's pocket watch that he carried
with him during the war, chances are your children will value it as
well. If it is an old watch that was found in your sock drawer with five
other watches, it's importance will likely be lost to history.
Simply telling people about your wishes is not enough. A list
referenced in your will gives your Personal Representative the legal
authority to distribute your property in the manner you intended.
Telling Aunt Suzie that you would like grandson Bill to have
great-grandfathers pocket watch will not provide your Personal
Representative with any legal authority to carry out your wishes.
However, discussing your wishes with your family members is a
very important part of ensuring that distribution of your important
property is carried out with the understanding and acceptance of
your family. Much heartache and disappointment can be avoided by
including your family in the planning process.
ere are many simple ways to make the process easier for your
loved ones. Most important, be organized. Use a simple planner
or binder to keep your will, property list, funeral arrangements,
accounts, insurance information and other important documents
so they are all in one safe place. Make sure a few people know where
your safe place is. If you lock your information in a safe, make sure the
people you trust know how to access the safe.
Estate planning should give you comfort knowing that your wishes
will be carried out aer you are gone. More importantly, you will
provide a road map for your family to follow, reducing emotionally
difficult decisions, and giving them peace of mind knowing your
wishes were followed.
For more information contact Tarum Law Office • 406-268-0001
SiG
MT
25
S
MT
