[JeanLynn81]

It never occured to me to make out a will before I had my daughter, because I didn't really have anything of value. Now that I do, it has been brought to my attention that making out a will is very important. But I've never done this, so I'm totally lost as to what to do. Can anybody help?

[FlamingPanties]

You can download a will template from the internet, and fill in your information. I believe it has to be witnessed and notarized to be considered legal and trouble-free for your heirs.

If you want to really look after your estate for your heirs you should have your property put into trust. It relieves the heirs from having to file for probate, a long and expensive process that benefits county bureaucrats and lawyers. This will help them save thousands on legal fees.

[Samual]

As we are married if I die everything goes to frank and if he dies everything goes to me, then when we are both gone it means everything is shared equally between the three children. When they are older we are sorting out who will be given our house and Frank's fathers house, we aren't do that via a will though, we are having the names changed otherwise there will be a hefty price tag on both of the houses.

[mcmama]

Jean, everything has to go to Alyssa. And you should spell out wishes for custody of her as well. Someone you know will adopt her.

"Everything" includes life insurance. If you don't have it, you need it. Get term insurance rather than whole life. It costs less and will pay out more if you die young.

Given that her dad is abusive and irresponsible, you want Alyssa's money controlled by someone else so he won't try to gain custody of Alyssa in order to get life insurance money. Someone needs to be a trustee of what you leave Alyssa - whether or not they gain physical custody of her.

You really need to speak to a lawyer about this, one who understands family law and the problem your ex will present.

[lynclarke]

Samual-- Are you saying that you have already made a will and you have specifically stated that all your stuff goes to Frank? Or are you assuming that everything will go to him without a will? In most states, without a will the spouse gets half and the children split the remaining half. You need a will. It is easy to do on the internet. Make sure you know how many signatures are needed for your state and make sure that you read the fine details like each page has to be numbered and initialed by each witness. (according to your state). Also, if you do not want someone to get your stuff, you have to write a line that specifically states "I do not want my .... to go to....... or anyone not specially mentioned in this will can not receive any items from my estate.

[mollymae]

I think the laws are different in the UK. I pretty sure unless you make a will everything automatically goes to your husband/wife/next of kin Regards children you can put in a will who you'd like to look after your children but a court can simply overturn that if they feels it goes against whats in the childs best interest.

[lynclarke]

Sorry, I wasn't thinking about the UK--I do not know what the regulations are there. I was referring to the US. sorry.

[mollymae]

No don't be sorry it's nice to learn the differences!