Wills

When you start the process of estate planning, a will is often one of the first pieces of the puzzle to address. At Bolinger Law Firm in St. Louis, we know drafting a will and considering estate planning can be tough to consider. We take the time to get to know you, understand your goals, and thoroughly answer your questions. As a result, your will accurately reflects your wishes and you feel at ease.

Once we create your will, you can feel confident that you have a legally binding document that accurately reflects your wishes. This includes the distribution of your property; one that protects your estate, and more importantly, your loved ones.

What Is a Will?

A will, often referred to as a Last Will and Testament, is a legal document. It is the backbone of an estate plan. It determines the distribution of your property passing through the probate process upon your death.

Additionally, within your will, you can designate who will care for your minor children in the event of your death. This is often the most important reason why parents with minor children need a will. Furthermore, your will ensures that your property is distributed according to your wishes and not left up to the courts to decide who gets what.

A validly executed will provides you with peace of mind. And, it allows you to transfer your property to your loved ones in accordance with your desires.

An estate planning attorney at the Bolinger Law Firm will work closely with you to understand your desires. And, they will create a will that accomplishes your goals while explaining the legal significance of those actions.

Why Do I Need a Will?

One of the biggest reasons people fail to execute a will is because they do not believe it is necessary. They don't see its usefulness. However, this misconception leads to unfortunate circumstances. Upon death, their property and finances do not provide adequate support for their loved ones. Also, everything gets tied up in probate for what can be months or even years.

If you were to pass away without executing a will, the state of Missouri would determine the distribution of your property. Depending on multiple factors, the state’s distribution may not be according to your wishes. Often, those who have been married more than once or have children with more than one partner, run into trouble. They fail to recognize the implications of not having a will may cause for their loved ones upon their death.

Additionally, a will is imperative if you have minor children. A will allows you to nominate the Guardian(s) of your minor children in the event of death. If you and your spouse were to die without a will, a court would determine who should be the Guardians of your minor children. This is time-consuming and expensive and does not always place your children with those whom you believe would best raise them.

Your estate planning attorney at Bolinger Law Firm will be happy to discuss these issues with you. And, they can provide you with a will that properly addresses each unique situation.

What Is Contained In a Will?

A will expresses your desires regarding the transfer of property at your death. But, what is actually contained within your will? Your will may specify:

  1. The payment of debts/taxes/expenses at your death
  2. Specific distributions of property
  3. General distributions of property
  4. Nomination of Guardians/Conservators for minor children
  5. Whether you permit independent administration for your Personal Representative
  6. Whether a bond is required

When we start working on your estate plan, we will discuss all of the applicable legal, emotional, and financial aspects. We will work with you to develop a will that accurately reflects your wishes.

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How Do I Choose My Personal Representative?

Deciding who should be the personal representative of your probate estate is often a difficult decision that requires deliberate forethought. The personal representative, or executor, administers your probate estate, ensures closure of your affairs, and distributes property to your beneficiaries.

It is important to nominate an individual who is responsible, organized, has business acumen, and is thorough. Often, this is a spouse or family member, but be sure to account for family dynamics when choosing your personal representative.

Multiple individuals may also serve as the personal representative of your estate, though it is important to consider the relationships between them and their ability to resolve problems together. Sometimes, having multiple individuals is beneficial because their strengths and weaknesses may complement each other and enable the efficient administration of your probate estate.

Need to Update Your Current Will?

A will codicil amends your current will with your updated desires. A will codicil is an effective tool when minor changes are necessary to your will, such as updating personal representatives. However, when substantial changes are required, it is often best to execute a new will that revokes all previous wills. Executing a new will provides greater organization and clarity while implementing provisions reflecting current law.

We're Here For You

Whether this is your first experience developing a will or you just need to update your current one, our estate planning team will discuss all applicable considerations and create a will that accurately expresses your desires in accordance with Missouri law. We know how overwhelming this process can be; that's why we are here to help you take this important step toward protecting your loved ones with compassion.

Free Estate Planning Consultation

Not only does creating a valid will effectively dispose of your property upon your death, it also provides you with peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are provided for in the event of your death.

Call or contact us today, 636-386-8322, to speak with a St. Louis estate planning attorney and schedule your free estate planning appointment.