Helping To Make Your Estate Plans Real !

BENEFICIARY SERVICES

215 West Loucks Street

Sheridan, Wyoming 82801-4226

Phone: (307) 459-4653 Fax: (413) 751-9511

We Are Here To Help You Make The Most Of Your Estate Plans

For Additional Information and Pricing Please Contact Your Equity Planner

The conventional estate plan is to have a will. That might be the whole plan. Without a will, the plan will be written by the State. See Right To Choose by clicking above. Wills get probated. Attorney and court costs are part of this plan. This is better than no plan, but not nearly as good as other plans.

What is a Will?

Wills are a part of the estate planning process. An estate plan is not just for the rich but for anyone. The estate plan provides the legal mechanism for disposing of property upon death recognizing your wishes and the needs of your survivors, while minimizing taxes.

What is a Living Will?

It is the documents referring to the handling of affairs in case of disability, and personal medical choices to be made as life nears its end if one is unable to voice one's desires regarding end of life choices.

What is a Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care?

It includes the handling of affairs in case of disability, and personal medical choices to be made as life nears its end by a trusted party or parties when we are unable to voice our own desires.

Do I need an attorney to prepare my Will?

Do you know if your personal wishes are exactly in line with the law dictating who gets what, when people die intestate (with a will) in your state? If your intent differs from the law, you will want a Will. In preparing your Will a great deal of self-help is feasible and a good idea by the persons who take time to educate themselves. However, people do need attorneys in most estate planning, probate and other legal situations at least for a consultation or to answer some questions and verify everything is in line with state laws.

Do I need a will?

Definitely, if you have minor children. Otherwise, probably so. It depends but is a good idea. Without a will, even if the survivors know of your intentions, there is no way for anyone to enforce your intended plan if it is not contained in a Will. Families can be forever torn apart, jockeying for position over the distribution of even small amounts of property.

What happens if I die without a will?

Married with children: The law in most states awards one-third to one-half of the decedent's property to the surviving spouse, and the remainder to the children, regardless of age.

Married with no children: Most states give one-third to one-half of the estate to the survivor. The remainder goes to the descendant's surviving parents.

Single person with children: The entire estate goes to the children.

Single person with no children: The estate goes to surviving parents. If both parents are deceased, many states divide the property among the brothers and sisters.

What qualifies a will?

To qualify as a Will, it must appear to the court, that it was intended to be the final expression of the Testator's wishes as to the disposition of property to take effect upon death and two witnesses. Just a general letter stating one's desires, or a list of property with beneficiaries names is insufficient thus not qualify as a Will.