Ensure your wishes are known from the grave
Halloween, the season of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night, reminds us how the past can haunt the present. But there is a far scarier spectre than any creature in a costume – the nightmare of an unplanned or outdated estate! Without a proper Will, your loved ones could face confusion, disputes, and unintended consequences long after you are gone. Instead of letting your estate become a real-life horror story, take steps now to ensure your final wishes are clear.
The Ghosts of Incomplete Wills
Just like a door left ajar in a haunted house, a partially written or vague will can let chaos creep in. Your assets, once intended to bring comfort to loved ones, might end up lost in the dark corridors of probate or worse – cause family disagreements, and your loved ones could spend years dealing with the repercussions.
The Nightmares of Intestacy
Dying without a Will – also known as dying intestate – can be a nightmare for your family and means the State will decide how to divide your assets. The eerie reality is that the people you had never intended to inherit may become the primary beneficiaries.
This might leave those you truly care about, such as a partner or close friend, completely out in the cold, with no claim to your assets. Do not let your estate become an intestacy horror story – take control and make your wishes known by creating a Will.
The Importance of Updates
Zombies are not the only things which come back. A Will should never be treated like a dusty spell book – written once and forgotten. Lives change, and so should your estate plan. Consider updating your will regularly, including after major life events such as the birth of children or grandchildren, the purchase of significant assets, or a change in marital status. Without these crucial updates, your Will could be as useful as an ancient, cursed scroll.
Do Not Let Your Estate Become a Horror Story
Halloween is a time for spooky stories, but nothing is more terrifying than leaving your estate unplanned.
While Halloween may be the time for thrilling scares and spooky tales, do not let your estate planning turn into a real-life horror story. By creating a clear, up-to-date Will, and taking steps to avoid disputes and confusion, you can ensure that your wishes are known from beyond the grave. The time to plan is now – before unintended consequences last far beyond the grave.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
