Wills

A will directs who receives your estate at your death and it appoints a personal representative, who is called an executor, to make certain that your wishes are carried out. If you have minor children, a will enables you to appoint a guardian for their care.

Some property does not pass under the will. For instance, joint property goes to the surviving joint owner and life insurance goes to the named beneficiary. We find that some clients prefer to use these mechanisms to pass on their estates. However, this often means continual juggling of accounts to make sure that each child gets the same inheritance. We strongly recommend using a will instead. It can quite simply state that each child will receive the same share. And the appointment of a personal representative can help prevent disputes among heirs.