Jasper L. Edwards
Putting your final wishes down on paper is a sobering thing to do. You will have lots of things to
think about during this process - who do you want your belongings to go to? How do you want your
estate to be divided up? Who do you need to consider when you are thinking about who should get
what?
With this many questions in your head, it’s even more important that you make sure you go about
things in the right way. This includes making a copy of a last will and testament so that all your
bases are covered.
Why Isn’t One Enough?
It’s essential that you have more than one copy of a last will and testament because most people
fill theirs out and then keep it at their house. If anything should happen to it there is no record
of what your final wishes are.
It’s not pleasant to think about, but this does make a lot of sense. If your house should burn down
with you inside it, and the only copy of a last will and testament with your name on it went up in
flames, no one would know what to do. You would be treated as having died without a will - even
though you had one. Even if someone knew it was in the house and knew exactly where it was, the
chances of it being recovered are close to zero.
If that same situation occurred and you had lodged a copy of a last will and testament somewhere
safe - with your bank perhaps or with a lawyer - then your wishes would still be known. You should
always tell someone where your will is kept in the event that anything happens to you however.
Making Changes
It is important to remember that you have more than one copy of a last will and testament however.
Some people forget they have two, and when they make a change to the one they have at their home,
they don’t make the change they have to the other copy as well.
This can lead to all kinds of problems when the wills are found. You should also ensure you write
out a completely fresh one if you do make changes, and get rid of every other copy of a last will
and testament that you have. This will make things easier when the time comes.
RESOURCE BOX
Free Wills to Print provides detailed information on Free Wills, How to Write a Will, Last Will And
Testament, Living Wills and more.
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