Wills Lawyer Belgrade, MT
If you are looking for a wills lawyer in Belgrade, Montana, you’ve probably considered how you will pass on your family heirlooms or your favorite or most valuable personal possessions, like rings, paintings, fine China, a grandfather clock, or the kitchen hutch. Questions may arise, like:
- “Do I have to write every one of my cherished possessions into my will?”
- “What if I later change my mind, wouldn’t I have to re-do my will?”
- “What if later circumstances affect my decision, such as a child’s untimely death or disinheriting an estranged son- or daughter-in-law?”
- “What if I forget to include an item in my will?”
- “What if I want to bequeath a valuable item before I pass away?”
Our wills lawyer in Belgrade, MT shares that, thankfully, there is an easy answer to these questions! It is called the personal property list. The personal property list is like a shopping list, but instead of reminding you what you are going to buy at the store, the personal property list tells your loved one who gets what upon your passing.
The beauty of the personal property list lies in its simplicity. A knowledgeable wills lawyer Belgrade, MT residents rely on, will make sure the personal property list is included in your estate planning documents. The personal property list is simply a separate document that accompanies your will, where you list who gets what household and personal items upon your passing. And because it is a separate document from your will, you won’t have to re-do your will—or worse, write all over your will—if you later change your mind about who gets what. For example, if you change your mind about who gets that special heirloom ring, you can simply indicate so on your personal property list—no need to see an attorney to make changes to your will.
Our Belgrade, MT wills lawyer wants you to know that there are a few things to make sure you get right about your personal property list: First, your will should indicate that you have a personal property list. Second, items on your personal property list must be described with enough specificity to not cause confusion about what items you are referring to. Third, cash, money accounts, and real property (land, homes, and other buildings) may not be on the personal property list. Fourth, you must sign your personal property list. Fifth, you should keep your personal property list in a safe place where it will be easily discovered upon your passing, presumably in the same spot as the original copy of your will.
Make sure you incorporate the personal property list in your estate planning. If you do, you will save yourself a few estate planning headaches. The experienced wills lawyers at Silverman Law Office help people all over Gallatin County, including Belgrade, Montana. When you are considering who you want to inherit your personal belongings, trust our many years of knowledge and experience to give you the peace of mind you need. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our wills lawyers!
Reasons Having a Will in Place is Vital
We all know that a thought of a time when you are no longer on this earth can be challenging to consider. You probably are aware that you should have a will in place, but taking the time to actually develop your will is something that many put off for another day. Despite your reasons, our Belgrade, MT wills lawyer at Silverman Law Office, PLLC, wants you to know that a variety of problems could arise without one in place. The following are key reasons that you should not delay in creating a will:
You Don’t Want Family Conflict to Arise
Familial conflict is one of the most prevalent issues that may result should you pass away without a will. Your loved ones may come to the table with different perspectives of what your wishes would have been and how you would have liked your assets to be divided. Several problems could result. Not only could this result in conflict within your family, your Belgrade, Montana wills lawyer shares it could prolong the process of resolving your estate and result in your final wishes to be left for the probate courts to sort out.
To Ensure That Your Wishes Are Carried Out
Most people have a picture of how they would like their estate to be managed when they no longer can do so. Be aware that someone may need to manage your estate should you become incapacitated or pass away. Without a will, you no longer have the ability to make critical decisions that will need to be made.
Make Sure Your Heirs Retain Assets
Working with a wills lawyer in Belgrade, MT will play a key role in developing an estate plan that will help your beneficiaries retain as much of your wealth as possible. Complications with your estate can quickly result in issues that may even impact your assets and how they are distributed. A lawyer can assist by discussing your options and developing a clear plan. This may be done by creating a will that distributes assets to heirs and developing trusts that allow for you to outline your wishes.
Have a Plan for Your Children
Our Belgrade, MT wills lawyer, knows that there will be nothing more important than making sure that your children are taken care of. Whether you have an older child with disabilities who requires care or minor children, a will and estate plan can ensure that your children are taken care of financially and that a guardian has been identified.
To Prevent Complications
Should you pass away or become incapacitated, having a will in place can help to mitigate complications. Your heir’s judgment may be clouded; chances are emotions may be heightened, and as a result, resolving an estate may become incredibly complicated. A wills lawyer in Belgrade, MT, can help make sure that you have created a will that clearly outlines your wishes. Without one, your interests could be at risk.
Silverman Law Office, PLLC, knows that the idea of developing a will may be challenging. However, in the long run, taking the time to meet with us can reduce the many issues that stand to arise down the road. Let our Belgrade, MT wills lawyer help you get started today; we want to provide you and your family with the peace of mind that they reserve.
