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Your Will

No matter what the age or financial situation, every adult should have a will. A will is a legally binding document that can prevent a great deal of problems for your survivors. If you die without a will, state law will determine who inherits your property and assets, and it is unlikely that they will be given to the persons you desire or in the proportions you would choose. Without a will, state laws and the probate judge will determine who will administer your estate, handle financial matters, and act as a guardian for your children. Through a will, you can make these choices and decisions yourself.

In making a will, you should name an executor of your estate. Because he or she will be responsible for filing with the court and carrying out the provisions of your will, the executor should be someone with whom you feel completely confident.

Upon your death, your will must be probated and your estate administered. The will is formally offered in court. The personal representative is then approved by the court, estate inventory is prepared and filed, and debts and taxes are recognized and paid. Finally, the representative files his or her own account and requests that the remaining estate assets be distributed in accordance with your wishes, as stated in the will. This process takes time, is complicated, and has legal pitfalls. You are advised to discuss the administration of your estate with an attorney.

The law is quite specific in its requirements with respect to the drafting, execution, and witnessing of wills. Wills may be contested due to legal technicalities that may have been overlooked when prepared by someone inexperienced with the procedure. For this reason, the services of a competent attorney are recommended both in drawing up the will and in settling the estate. Some homemade or 'do it yourself' wills lack some necessary legal requirements and are subsequently ruled invalid by the courts. In any event, it is always wise to comparatively shop for an attorney you can afford, trust, and feel comfortable with.

You should review your will every few years, particularly if you have moved or if your family situation (i.e., divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary, etc...) has changed since you last executed a will. State laws vary as to formal requirements and as to the rights of children and grandchildren born after a will is executed.

In the absence of a will the procedure is the same, except that the court, not you, makes many of the critical decisions. In addition, the process is likely to take much longer, and your estate may be subjected to much higher tax rates than if you had left a will. In the meantime, your assets may be tied up for quite a while before being distributed by the court in accordance with state laws on inheritance.

Federal and state laws regarding wills and estate taxes change from time to time. Your attorney should review your will periodically to ensure that it takes maximum advantage of the changes in the law.

Living Will Instructions

Today, more than ever, issues concerning 'death with dignity' or the 'right to die' have received increased attention. As advances in medical and scientific techniques find new ways to maintain bodily functions, keeping the human machine alive, more people have become concerned with 'quality of life' issues, in contrast to simple continued existence.

Issues concerning the use of 'heroic measures' to sustain life, quality of life issues, are very personal and very important to consider. We recommend that you and your family discuss these issues to avoid the uncertainty that could arise at a difficult time during a serious, prolonged illness.

Today, most states have Living Will statutes specifying documents which anyone can copy and sign according to state law.

You may obtain additional information regarding your state laws, or about this issue, by contacting:

The Choice In Dying, Inc.
200 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 366-5540.

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