Family is a lovely thing, but when it comes to writing your Will, family politics and expectations can make things tough – especially if family members believe they have been denied their fortune.
When creating your Will, there are some things you may do to assist alleviate these feelings. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best methods to write a Will that balances your intentions with your family’s expectations.
Make a list of your desires.
Making a list of what you want to happen to your possessions when you pass away is one of the greatest places to start when creating your Will. You can make your Will as generic or as precise as you desire, so even if you want to leave minor emotional items to specific people, you can do so. Just be sure you’ve covered all of your valuables, whether big and small.
First and foremost, talk.
The next step is to have a one-on-one conversation with your family members. Don’t be too detailed while writing your Will; instead, have a general talk with your family about what they expect after you pass away, and don’t forget to inquire about why they desire certain things. When it comes to preparing your Will and determining how your family’s expectations fit in with your Will, the what and why can be incredibly helpful.
It’s a good idea to have this conversation before you write your Will, because it’s lot easier to construct a single document that weighs expectations and wants than it is to amend your wishes to include expectations after the fact.
It should be written.
After speaking with all of your family members, you should have a decent sense of what they expect and whether there are any members that want the same thing but are unable to obtain it. You might also check to discover if any members of your family are expecting to get more than their fair share of your wealth.
You can write your Will with comments on what your family expects from your inheritance and your initial wishes, and then decide whether or not requests from family members should be granted. Whatever decisions you make in your Will, keep track of why you made them (not in the Will itself), because those notes will come in handy in the next phase.
Let’s Talk About It
Make two or three copies of your Will after you’ve written it and gather your entire family. Give them the Will copies and allow them to read it. Explain why they aren’t getting all they desire from your estate because of the selections you made in your Will. After you’ve finished discussing, gather the copies of the Will again (and double-check that they’re all there), and then listen to any recommendations your family has.
They may conceive of items that should include in your Will that you haven’t mentioned or wouldn’t have thought of after reading your Will. Make it clear that the Will is susceptible to change as life circumstances change.
Amendments
Make any required changes to your Will after your meeting with your relatives. Dispose of any old copies that you don’t need and keep the official Will safe.
Do you want to start writing your Will? Call our Will writing experts today to learn how we can assist you in drafting your Will and ensuring that your desires are carried out.