No one wants to think about their eventual death, but like taxes, it is inevitable. The only thing you can do is prepare now, so your passing won’t be as difficult for your loved ones. Writing a will and planning your funeral is one of the kindest things you can do in Walterboro, SC—it takes the pressure off your loved ones during a distressing time.
Some people mistakenly believe that they don’t own enough property to warrant writing a will, but everyone can benefit from creating a will. Here are the major reasons you need to write down your wishes:
- Decide who gets your property: If you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to state law. Usually, surviving spouses and children are the first in line, then parents, siblings and extended family. If you don’t have any kin—or you’re not married to your long-term partner—your assets may default to the state. In other words, the only way to ensure your property goes to whom you decide is to write a will.
- Provide care for your minor children: When you have minor children, appointing a guardian is important. You may have a spouse, but if they pass away at the same time, you need to determine who will care for your children. This is especially important if you have certain relatives that you do not want to care for your children. Protect your children by writing a will—even if you don’t want to think about these unpleasant possibilities, your kids need you to consider them.
- Leave instructions for your funeral: Some people have very specific wishes for their funerals. The only way to guarantee that your loved ones know what you want to happen is to add funeral planning instructions in your end-of-life documents. The more elaborate your wishes, the more important it is that you also leave a fund to pay for these expenses. Funerals and burial can be expensive, so it’s always wise to make sure your loved ones won’t struggle to pay in an effort to abide by your final wishes. Plus, you can leave instructions for things like your headstone, specific cemetery and more.
- Give gifts to charities, schools and nonprofits: Finally, you can use your will to create a legacy for yourself. Consider giving gifts to charities, nonprofits, schools and other foundations. You can use your assets to fund scholarships, provide care for the less fortunate and other generous acts. It’s a nice way to help others, and ensure that your memory lives on.
Although it’s unsettling to think about dying, planning for the future is one of the nicest things you can do for your family and friends. Taking a few minutes to write a will and leave copies where they’ll be easily found can take a lot of pressure off your loved ones when the time comes.
If designing a headstone is part of your funeral planning process in Walterboro, SC, call Steedley Monument Works today.