It is not fun to think about your own death, and it may be even more stressful to voice those thoughts out loud to an attorney.
Many people avoid making a will for that very reason.
However, creating a will is a crucial step to protecting your property, assets and Family, and it is a much simpler process than you may think.
A will is a legal document that generally gives instructions for what to do with your belongings after your death. When making a will, the testator – the individual making the will – has wide discretion in directing how his or her property will be distributed after death. As the testator, you can handle everything from who will get your Xbox or your car, to more important matters like directing who will take care of your children in the event both parents are deceased. Given its broad nature, it is a critical document for all Soldiers and their Families to have.
One major reason to have a will is to keep your property with those you care about. When a will exists, it is a lot easier for the court to disburse the property to those you wanted it to go to.
When a person dies without a will, he or she dies intestate, leaving the distribution of their property up to the formulaic rules the state provides. This may result in increased costs to administer your estate, increased chance of disputes, increased wait time before your Family can receive the property, and worst of all, it may create significant headaches for your Family during a time of mourning.
If you do not have many assets a will might not be necessary right away. But wills are especially important when you have children. As mentioned above, wills can set up guardianship for your child in the event that it becomes necessary, but wills also can set up trusts for your children. Trusts are a way for you to hold assets for the beneficiaries until they reach a certain age.
Lastly, if you have experience any major life changes including marriage, the birth of a child or divorce, it is important to review and update your will to ensure your wishes are carried out.
At Fort Campbell, it is a quick, easy and free service for Soldiers, retirees and their spouses to make a will. They can often be drafted and completed the same day you visit the Staff Judge Advocate Client Services office.
To schedule an appointment, stop by the office at 2765 Tennessee Ave. It is recommended that Soldiers deploying have a will drafted before they leave. But making a will is important for every Soldier and spouse, regardless of deployment status, to ensure their Families will be taken care of in the future.