Two important factors in estate planning are wills and trusts. The former refers to a person’s last will and testament, and it contains the wishes of that person with regard to a variety of aspects. If you die intestate, meaning that you passed away without a will, your estate will be settled by the courts. An estate planning attorney in The Coachella Valley can assist you to draw up a will and other pertinent documents so that you and your loved ones are protected in the event of your death.

Last Will and Testament

If you pass away, you likely want a will in place that contains the following:

• A designated guardian for your children
• How you want to distribute your property and real estate
• The details of how you want your possessions distributed and to whom
• The name of the person you choose as an executor

Keep in mind that if you do not have a will that names an executor, the court will decide how to distribute your assets. This is called probate court, and it is usually recommended that you avoid it if at all possible. This is because the courts often end up making decisions that are different from what the deceased would have wanted. In addition, it is a public process that you may feel invades the privacy of you and your loved ones. Having a will in place is the best way for you to avoid this scenario.