A person’s will controls their property-related legacy. Parents can leave assets for their children and select guardians to care for them. Business owners can name someone they trust to take over the company. People with a variety of different valuable assets can choose specific beneficiaries to inherit from their estates.
Exactly what people choose to include in their estate plans may depend on their closest relationships and personal priorities. However, there are three things most people should not include in a will to avoid conflict and to prevent family members struggling to follow their wishes.
Funeral plans
Families grieving someone’s death often wait until after the funeral to read the will. As such, including instructions for a funeral or memorial service in a will might result in family members learning too late about an individual’s preference.
Insurance beneficiary designations
Life insurance policies can protect those who outlive the policyholder. Typically, those who carry life insurance file paperwork directly with their insurance providers that names the beneficiaries who receive payouts in the event of their passing. People who include life insurance in their wills might contradict their beneficiary designations, leading to confusion and conflict.
Pets
While pets technically are property, simply bequeathing them to a beneficiary in a will could lead to the new owner surrendering the pet to a shelter or even having the animal euthanized. Additionally, pets cannot inherit directly from an estate. Those concerned about their pets may need to make alternate arrangements, such as funding pet trusts, to ensure their companion animals receive appropriate care after their passing.
Ensuring that a will addresses all necessary concerns without including inappropriate details typically requires the insight of an estate planning attorney. Those who work with lawyers while estate planning are less likely to make mistakes that might otherwise complicate estate administration.