Property Division Specialists, Eric N. Klein

The Importance of Leaving a Will

The death of a loved one is a greatly feared event for most us. Especially in situations when the event is unexpected, we sometimes do not know what to do or how to handle the ensuing responsibility. Nearly 60% of American households have not prepared a will. This sad fact exposes families to in-fighting, outstanding debt, and unnecessary estate tax.

Writing a will has numerous benefits. Here are just a few of the ways leaving a will after death can benefit the family:

1. You have complete control over who divides your estate and how it will be divided.
Those individuals who do not leave a will force the family to go through the probate court in order to determine how the estate will be divided. While the rules governing division are generally considered fair, any special requests that you might have had would not be honored simply because it was not written down.


2. Leaving a will prevents costly family in-fighting over what is left of the estate
Typically in situations where the estate is rather large, family member may begin to harbor negative feeling toward one another. These feelings result in lengthy arguments and fights, which can end up becoming very costly and ruining relationships.


3. You, your family and property will be protected from outsiders
Though rare, strangers may try to come into the picture, claiming to be a long lost son, daughter, or distant family member. These claims understandably have questionable origins, but can make your family vulnerable, or even susceptible to financial struggle.

For more information on ways to efficiently divide up your estate, contact the Palm Beach property division specialists of the Eric Klein & Associates, P.A. law firm. They are waiting patiently for your call at 561-353-2800.