When you ask what will happen when you die, it’s not just an existential question. You want to know what will happen if you die without a will. There’s a myth that the government will take your assets, but that’s not true. Instead, your assets will be distributed to your heirs based on the laws of intestacy. To put it simply, your relatives will inherit your assets if you don’t get help from a will attorney.
Fortunately, the law firm of Susan G. Parker Law Associates, P.C. can help. Susan G. Parker offers estate planning services in Westchester County, including Briarcliff and the surrounding areas.
In the meantime, though, it’s a good idea to find out what will happen if you don’t get your will together in time. Then, you’ll see why it’s so important to use a will attorney.
The Basic
Let’s begin with the basics. If you’re married with children, your spouse will get the first $50,000 of your estate. Then, he or she will split the remaining assets 50/50 if you fail to have a will attorney draft a will.
On the other hand, if you’re survived by a spouse but you don’t have any kids, your spouse will get it all if you don’t have a will.
Let’s say you have kids but you don’t have a spouse. Your kids will split the assets evenly. That means if you have three kids, everyone will get a third. If you have two kids, the assets will be split down the middle. Of course, you can change this if you hire a will attorney.
If you don’t have any kids or a spouse, your parents will get the assets. However, if you don’t have kids, a spouse, or parents, your siblings will split your assets.
Some people don’t have kids, a spouse, parents, or siblings. Then, your assets will go to the decedents of your grandparents. If you don’t want that to happen, you need to hire a will attorney.
Surprises to Anticipate When You Don’t Hire a Will Attorney
There’s a reason people like to have wills. Failure to do so can lead to some surprises that will make your loved ones wish you’d hired a will attorney.
First, let’s say you live with your significant other but you aren’t married. He or she won’t get anything out of your estate if you pass away. This is true, even if you have a child together. The child will get everything from your estate, and your significant other won’t get anything. Avoid this problem by hiring a will attorney.
First, let’s say you live with your significant other but you aren’t married. He or she won’t get anything out of your estate if you pass away. This is true, even if you have a child together. The child will get everything from your estate, and your significant other won’t get anything. Avoid this problem by hiring a will attorney.
You can even face problems if you’re married and fail to hire a will attorney. Let’s say you’re married and have two young children. Your spouse gets the first $50,000 and the kids get the rest. Your spouse doesn’t have enough to support the family and ends up losing it all. A will attorney can help you avoid this problem.
Hire a Will Attorney and Protect Your Family
A will is the best way to protect your loved ones when you pass. You never know what tomorrow might bring, so get everything in order now. Contact the law firm of Susan G. Parker Law Associates, P.C. at (901) 923-1600 and schedule an appointment today. Your family will thank you for using a will attorney.