Westchester County Wills Lawyer
Drafting a will is the first step to preserving your assets for future generations.
A will is a fundamental estate planning document and can, in fact, achieve more than just distributing a person’s assets. Wills can be used to appoint guardians for your children, implement trusts, and provide peace of mind that your family and loved ones will continue to be taken care of long after you are unable to provide for them. It’s also a common misconception that a will is only necessary for the elderly. While seniors may be in most immediate need of a will, adults of all ages can benefit from creating a will to prepare for any unexpected event, contact our Westchester County wills lawyers today.
The best way to ensure your will is legally sound is to consult with a knowledgeable New York wills lawyer.
The cornerstone document of any estate plan is the will. A will allows you to select the person responsible for carrying out your final wishes (your personal representative or executor), name a guardian to care for your minor children and manage their property, and direct which assets will go to which beneficiaries. To ensure your will is legally sound, it is critical to seek out the assistance of an attorney to draft and review the document and its terms. You must meet specific requirements under New York law for your will to be valid, and overlooking any element may lead to disputes, prolong the probate process, or cause your will to be invalidated entirely.
Even if you set up trusts for your assets, you still need a will for the reasons above, and because your will can serve as a catch-all for property that, for one reason or another, does not make it into your trust(s). In your will, you may include a clause that names someone to get any property you haven’t left to a particular person or entity.
You can and should make changes to your will to account for family and financial changes.
If you already have a will, is it current and reflective of your current family and financial circumstances? Updating your will after a new marriage in the family, a divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child solidifies your wishes for the appropriate parties. Likewise, if you have bought property, received an inheritance, or the value of your estate has changed in any manner, you may need to modify your will to account for these developments.
Contact experienced Westchester County wills lawyers
To effectively draft a will and create an estate plan with the utmost protection for your assets and heirs, please contact Meyer & Spencer, PC today. Our firm provides informed legal guidance and can help secure your legacy through comprehensive wills and estate plans. We serve clients throughout Westchester and Putnam counties and surrounding areas.
