Look, it’s simple. If you are over the age of 18, you should have a will and all of the other important legal documents (medical directives, power of attorney, etc).
You should for sure have one if you have any assets over a thousand dollars. You absolutely should have one if you have kids.
I remain gobsmacked at the number of people who don’t.
I’m actually somewhat angry at those in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s (i.e. My parents — too many other Boomers. It always seems to be the Boomers) who don’t.
Look, I understand. You think you always have tomorrow. You think you’ll put it on the list and get around to it. You think you’re in good health so why bother. You think it’s too complicated. You have a million other excuses…
And they’re all bullshit.
Because, you see… You think your will is for you. It’s not. You think it is to make sure your wishes are carried out. Partially, but not really.
It’s for all of those you leave behind.
Look, I have too much direct personal experience with all versions of having a will or not. Here’s three stories plucked from those examples:
My wife’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given 2 months to live. She actually lived for 2 years. You know how she spent those final days? Living the best life she could. You know why? She had a will long before that. Every post-life decision was settled and arranged. Her loved one’s were left without questions or burden.
My wife’s father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He was given a few weeks and got those few weeks. He didn’t have a will (!!!) at the time he was diagnosed. You know how much of that time was spent by his daughter running around to get all of that documentation in place and finding lawyers and witnesses and getting things notarized and paid for? WAY TO MUCH. His loved ones could have been enjoying their time with him in his final weeks and instead they were dealing with all of that shit.
My Dad’s sister had a lifetime of major medical issues. She also had a contentious relationship with my father. They, in fact, didn’t speak to each other and hadn’t for years. My guess is that he was not at the top of her list of folks she wanted dealing with her affairs if she passed away. But pass away she did — suddenly and without a will. Guess what happened. My Dad was her only next of kin. So, the person she had not had a conversation with in years was left with the burden of having to deal with everything — all in the midst of very complicated emotions.
That’s just three of the examples that I have direct experience with. I could cite a few more. But what I can say from what I’ve shared is that having a will before anything life-threatening comes along is FAR better than not having one when it does. Even worse is not having one at all when you go. For those you leave behind, it is the difference between peace of mind and a giant pain in the ass mess.
But I can also say it has taught me and my wife very well. We both have detailed wills and all other important and necessary end-of-life documents that are reviewed and updated every year or as life circumstances and assets change. I can also tell you that, before she left for college and though she barely has any real assets of note, our 18-year-old daughter has all of that too.
We are walking the walk.
Seriously, get a will and all the other end-of-life stuff you can afford. Do it for those you love. Make your wishes known. Make the location of that will known. Make whatever time you have left free of as much of the burden as possible. Make their lives easier.