Death is not a subject most people want to dwell on – particularly when it is their own death. That may be one of the reasons so many people put off writing their wills. If you have any property at all and are over the age of 18 then it is a wise idea for you to have a will.

You may not realize this, but if you die without a will then the state gets to dictate what happens to your assets. If you have no living relatives then the state gets to KEEP your assets. Keeping your money away from the government is something you do every day of your life, so why would you want to give it to the government when you are gone?

It doesn’t take much to write out a will, but it might be a good idea to sit down with a lawyer to make sure what you write is valid where you live. Every state has different probate laws.

Once you get your will written out, you will want to revisit what you wrote on a regular basis and any time a major change happens in your life. Having a will and keeping it up to date will guarantee that your wishes are followed through even after you have gone.