Estate planning-each person does their own will or do one together?

[Anonymous]

I’ve decided that DH really need to get wills written. Is it better for us each to have our own, or do married couples have joint wills? Part of why I ask is, I’ve been saying this to DH for years, but for whatever reason is dragging his feet. So I thought I’d just do one on my own. That way at least if we both die, our kids will be protected, right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
TIA

[Anonymous]

You need to do it together. You will automatically inherit if he dies but everything is so much more complicated if someone dies intestate. (Ask me how I know.)

[Anonymous]

I’m interested to hear other answers, but I did one on my own. When my dad died, my sister and I ended up co-owning the family home and she is currently living in it. God forbid something happen to me, I did not want her to have to share ownership of the house with my dh. So I got a will done that basically says she gets any interest I have in that house and dh gets the rest.

It also outlines guardianship for the kids if something happens to both dh and I. Presumably that makes our intent clear even if he doesn’t have a will of his own.

[Anonymous]

Also, you’ll pay the same for a will that covers both of you as for one that covers only you! Use that argument on him.

[Anonymous]

No joint wills. You each have one. Ideally, they coordinate.

Otherwise it's a clusterf*ck if you nominate one guardian of minor children and he nominates someone else. Then if you die simultaneously, your kids have a judge decide.

[Anonymous]

I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No joint wills. You each have one. Ideally, they coordinate.

Otherwise it's a clusterf*ck if you nominate one guardian of minor children and he nominates someone else. Then if you die simultaneously, your kids have a judge decide.

I assume if doing joint wills that you would be in agreement on who gets the kids?

[Anonymous]

I did mine alone because I was ready to get it done but he wasn’t and I really think the odds of us dying together are so incredibly low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't get people's reluctance to handle this incredibly basic task of getting a will, financial power of attorney and health care documents. Don't you want the right people making decisions for your finances and healthcare choices if you're in a coma and can't communicate? Don't you want to have the right people raising your orphaned children instead of leaving that choice to a court? Don't you think it's worth it to thoughtfully provide a legal structure so any money you leave them is used responsibly to get them to adulthood?

Getting basic legal docs in place is not more likely to make you die. We are all going to die someday. Please take care of your loved ones and don't leave them a financial and logistical mess along with the grief of losing you.

Op here, and I agree!! Which is why I’m about to get my own because DH is dragging his feet…

But I might just contact an attorney and then tell him we’re doing this, no exceptions!

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend an attorney near Hyattsville?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend an attorney near Hyattsville?

We did our Will with Gina Lynn on the Hill (Pennsylvania Ave SE). She’s great and reasonably priced and does this all day, every day.

[Anonymous]

Schedule an appointment for both of you.

You need a will, power of attorney, power of medical attorney and a living will.

Make a morning of it, go to lunch, take the afternoon off.

[Anonymous]

You each get your own will but they can basically say the same thing with your names swapped out. DH and mine are essentially the same except he has an interest in a family vacation house that goes straight to our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend an attorney near Hyattsville?

We did our Will with Gina Lynn on the Hill (Pennsylvania Ave SE). She’s great and reasonably priced and does this all day, every day.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If he's dragging his feet, go ahead and get one on your own. But I agree, if you're doing sweetheart wills and pour over trusts for the kids, it's much easier to get them done together. You don't physically get the same will but the wills should mirror each other.