5 Steps for Creating a Will

Schrader-Howell Funeral Home • April 3, 2023

Estate planning is one way to protect your loved ones, so Schrader-Howell funeral home has five key steps that are part of creating a legally binding will.

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Preplanning is one of the most fundamental things you can do to help your loved ones. Whether you're working with one of the funeral homes in Plymouth, MI, for tips or resourcing the document on your own, several steps need to be taken. We want to help make this process as easy as possible for you, so we've created this article with five steps to create the document.


The Executor


One of the first key pieces of information is picking an executor. This person will be in charge of ensuring your wishes are fulfilled and are often someone detail-oriented and responsible. If you have no children or other individuals, you deem appropriate; you can always have a CPA or your attorney as the named individual.


Guardians of Minors or Pets


If you have any children or pets, you will also need to pick a guardian to care for them. While you may already have someone chosen, if not, you want to be sure they are willing to take on the responsibility, and it is good to reach out to them to see if they are willing to. Having more than one person is also recommended if the original individual is unavailable.


Complete List of Property and Beneficiaries


One of the Largest responsibilities of increasing the well is having a list of your assets from the beneficiaries. You need to be very specific about who gets what and in what manner they will receive the assets. If you have grandchildren, you could consider creating an educational fund or adding in trusts with specific requests that the individual has to fulfill before receiving the assets; for example, the individual may need to graduate college or reach a certain age before they can receive the benefits.


Include a Letter With the Will


It's also recommended to attach a letter to the will. This can be a Full disclosure statement and serve as a way to say goodbye and go into detail if you have any specific issues around the distribution or the services.


Find an Estate Planner or Choose the Right Software


While many people choose to create the will online, it's not always recommended to do this because details can be overlooked, and mistakes made. So it is worth investing in either a do-it-yourself software or finding an attorney who can help you ensure that every aspect of the estate is covered to avoid mistakes that can create more costly issues down the road.


Trusted and Compassionate Services


Estate planning can include multiple documents, and the will is just one way to help give you more peace of mind. Planning for the services starts with choosing one of the funeral homes in Plymouth, MI; they can offer you reliable and compassionate services, and our team is here to help. Our company has been serving our community since 1904, and we offer multiple services, from traditional to green burial, to help ensure we are meeting our client's needs. We would love to answer any questions or help you schedule an appointment, so call us today to get started.


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