Many of you work hard so that you can provide for your loved ones after your death. This, however, is very tricky business; because, unless you follow the letter of the law, the people you want to protect the most may have to stand by the sidelines and watch your money go to someone else after you die.
Now let me just admit to this upfront: I was not very proficient "wills & trust". There are so many rules that must be followed before either your will or trust can be deemed valid, that I could barely keep them straight! (Thankfully it didn't affect my ability to pass the bar exam.). Steve Parrish proves my point when he shows you how: (1) flubbing one's will, (2) lying on one's life insurance policy or (3) failing to have a particular type of agreement attached to one's life insurance policies can lead to the financial benefactor's wishes being bypassed after his / her death.
This, more than anything, shows how a lawyer is effective in providing you what you need to take to get to the outcome you desire. That is why I always, without equivocation, refer all questions about providing for loved ones after death to a qualified attorney. Heck, I suggest everyone always use a qualified attorney to review every legal document you produce - it actually makes a difference.
Our site is about educating you on the issues and help you minimize costs by doing some of the basic leg work on your own. But in the end only a qualified attorney, who is aware of your particular circumstances should give final approval of your actions.
