Oklahoma City Wills Attorney

Do you have a will? If not, you should. Death is a practical reality we will each face at some point; a last will and testament is one of the most important gifts you can leave your loved ones. When you leave a will, your loved ones can carry out your wishes without agonizing over making key decisions. A will lawyer helps you outline who should administer your estate when you die and document how — and to whom — assets that pass through your will should be distributed. If you have minor children, you can also name a guardian for them, in the event of your premature death.

 

Wills are not only for the elderly or wealthy among us. Regardless of age, current health, or financial circumstances, everyone can benefit from a will. As an Oklahoma City wills attorney, Goodnight Law provides a range of estate planning services, including creating wills.

 

Understanding Wills

 

Lawyers that do wills use certain legal terms to identify roles and key provisions when creating wills and other estate planning documents. Understanding these terms can help you make important decisions and can help ensure your will functions the way you want it to.

 

• Executor. Also called an “administrator” or “personal representative,” the executor is the person who handles your estate when you die. Your executor is responsible for carrying out the terms of the will.

• Beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries are individuals and/or charities who receive assets when you die. You can plan for contingencies. For example, “to X, but if X does not survive me, then to Y.”

• Guardian. If you have minor children, your will can nominate a guardian. If you and your child’s other parent die before your child reaches age 18, your guardian will have physical custody of your child.

• Residuary Clauses. Residuary clauses cover any assets that don’t pass according to earlier provisions. For example, if you said, “I leave my car to X,” but X died before you and you didn’t include a contingency for that specific gift, then your car would pass according to your residuary clause.

 

It is also important to understand different types of wills. A simple will is straightforward, naming an executor and providing for the outright distribution of your assets. A more complex will might include a testamentary trust to structure distributions for minor children. These types of wills take effect after you die. In contrast, a living will documents your healthcare wishes, in the event you are alive but cannot make your own medical decisions. An estate planning and living will attorney can help ensure your plan includes all appropriate documents for your situation.

 

Benefits of Having a Will

 

The potential benefits of creating a will cannot be overstated. By working with an Oklahoma City wills attorney and living will lawyer to document your wishes, you can take the guesswork out of what should happen to your estate when you die. Your loved ones will have a road map to follow while they are grieving and can feel good about respecting your wishes. A will also streamlines the probate process, cutting down on the time and expenses involved in administering your estate, while minimizing or preventing family disputes about what you wanted.

 

In addition to removing stress for your loved ones, working with a will lawyer to create a will can provide you with peace of mind, knowing you’ve done what you can to make things as straightforward as possible.

 

Why Hire a Will Attorney

 

While you could take a do-it-yourself approach to estate planning, attorneys that do wills never recommend it. Simply put, if you don’t understand complex legal terminology or fail to include specific provisions in your will, your wishes may not be honored. Sadly, these mistakes rarely come to light until after someone dies when it’s too late to take corrective action. Working with an attorney to create your last will and testament, and with a living will lawyer to document your end-of-life healthcare wishes, is the best way to ensure your goals and wishes will be honored.

 

Choose Goodnight Law as Your Oklahoma City Wills Attorney

 

A valid will is a key component of your overall estate plan. Your legal will lawyer can help you ensure your estate plan encompasses your wishes for what will happen after death, as well as for potential incapacity during your lifetime. If thinking about lawyers and wills feels stressful, know that you are not alone. Being proactive with your planning now can provide invaluable peace of mind to both you and to your loved ones.

 

Goodnight Law is an Oklahoma City-based law firm providing professional, tailored estate planning services to individuals, families, and business owners across the state. We take a compassionate, hands-on approach to planning. We can even meet you at your home to inventory assets to confirm your plan captures everything you hold valuable. To learn more and to get started, schedule your free consultation today!