A Last Will and Testament is a document that allows you to control what happens to your property and possessions after you die. While it may be tempting to include everything in your Will, there are some things that should be left out.
List of 10 Things Not To Put In Your Will
1. Don't put any assets in your Will that you don't own outright. If you have joint ownership of property or other assets, they will automatically pass to the surviving owner upon your death and don't need to be specifically mentioned in your Will.
2. Don't put any minor children's names in your will as beneficiaries. Their inheritance will be managed by a court-appointed guardian until they reach adulthood.
3. Don't name an executor who is not qualified or capable of carrying out the duties required of them. The executor is responsible for ensuring that your wishes are carried out and that all debts and taxes are paid, so choose someone you trust implicitly to carry out these tasks.
4. Don't put any conditions on your bequests that are illegal or impossible to fulfill. For example, don't try to disinherit a spouse by leaving them nothing in your Will, as this is invalid under most state laws.
5. Don't give away more than you can afford to. It's important to remember that your Will is not effective until after your death, so you need to make sure that you have enough money to last until then. Make sure you leave enough for yourself and your family first, and only then consider giving away any surplus assets.
6. Don't put any unenforceable requests in your will. For example, don't ask your executor to make sure that your ashes are scattered in a particular place, as this cannot be legally enforced.
7. Don't try to make your Will too complicated. The more complex it is, the more likely it is to be contested or challenged in court. Keep it simple and clear to avoid any potential problems.
8. Don't put anything in your Will that you want to keep secret. Once your Will is made public after your death, anything written in it will become part of the public record. If you have any sensitive information that you want to keep private, don't include it in your Will.
9. Don't put anything in your Will that could be interpreted as a bribe. For example, don't try to buy someone's loyalty by leaving them a large sum of money in your Will. This could be seen as an act of fraud and could invalidate your entire Will.
10. Don't put anything in your Will that could be construed as blackmail. For example, don't try to force someone to do something by threatening to disinherit them if they don't comply. This could also invalidate your Will.
There is no need to include these items in your Last Will and Testament. Ultimately, a Last Will should only be used to specify how you would like your assets to be distributed in the event of your death. Including anything beyond that can create unnecessary complications.
