Do you have a will and/or trust?

[Anonymous]

No. We should but we don't. We're a young family of toddlers and can't afford lawyers fees. I have made sure everything is set up to go to DH if I die. DH and I also couldn't agree on who would get our kids. We both know my parents are the correct choice and they'd raise kids the way we're raising them, but it's hard to cut out inlaws.

[Anonymous]

Can someone simply summarize what a trust is and why do I need one? I have a will.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't everything just go to your spouse?

[Anonymous]

We used Jeanne Richter in Rockville. Only cost about 1300 to do everything- will, POA, medical directives etc - was worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. We should but we don't. We're a young family of toddlers and can't afford lawyers fees. I have made sure everything is set up to go to DH if I die. DH and I also couldn't agree on who would get our kids. We both know my parents are the correct choice and they'd raise kids the way we're raising them, but it's hard to cut out inlaws.

PP, I’m writing to encourage you to do what you know to be the responsible thing and write your will, even if you can’t force your husband to do his. You can even do a simple version that you print from online. If you don’t designate a guardian for your children, do you realize that the court will decide? Do you really want to risk that? Courts don’t always make the best decisions. How could they be expected to? This is a critical parenting responsibility and you must step up to the plate. Immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. We should but we don't. We're a young family of toddlers and can't afford lawyers fees. I have made sure everything is set up to go to DH if I die. DH and I also couldn't agree on who would get our kids. We both know my parents are the correct choice and they'd raise kids the way we're raising them, but it's hard to cut out inlaws.

PP, I’m writing to encourage you to do what you know to be the responsible thing and write your will, even if you can’t force your husband to do his. You can even do a simple version that you print from online. If you don’t designate a guardian for your children, do you realize that the court will decide? Do you really want to risk that? Courts don’t always make the best decisions. How could they be expected to? This is a critical parenting responsibility and you must step up to the plate. Immediately.

+1. You realize that, if it actually comes to pass, you'll be gone and won't have to face the inlaws? No one has to know who you picked before then. A family member actually asked us if we'd serve as their child's guardian, but asked us not to tell anyone else in the family. That's fine with us, and we have kept the confidence.