Disadvantages of Dying Without a Will in Maryland
The main disadvantage of dying without a will in Maryland is not being able to ensure that your wishes are carried out. Without a will, your assets may not be distributed the way you want them to be. This is why it is important to make sure you have a plan in place early to avoid any unnecessary issues. A skilled wills attorney can work with you to create a plan that can be changed to reflect your changing wishes.
What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will?
If a person dies without a will, their estate will be distributed pursuant to the laws of intestacy which is a set of statutes that are in place to dictate what happens to a person’s estate when they pass away without a will. This distribution will depend upon the person’s family circumstances and who has survived the decedent.
Finding an experienced estate planning attorney is the first step to take for avoiding dying without a will. The attorney can guide the person and advise them on different tax systems and laws they should be cognizant of when planning their estate. Forming a relationship so they feel comfortable with working in the long-term is the best step to ultimately creating an estate plan that they are comfortable with and that will allow their wishes to be carried out.
Disadvantages of Not Having a Plan in Maryland
The biggest disadvantage of dying without a will is that the decedent will have not have had the benefit of making several decisions such as naming who they want to serve as personal representative, or the person who has the authority to act on behalf of the estate and is responsible for managing the person’s estate to ensure that proper distribution is made to the beneficiaries. Another disadvantage is that the decedent would not have had the benefit of deciding who gets to receive those assets and what amounts. There are other disadvantages of dying without a will that a Maryland attorney can discuss.
An attorney should work as efficiently as possible and closely with the individual to ensure that the plan accurately reflects their wishes. They will answer any questions and explain the estate/probate process so that a person can make educated decisions regarding their estate. This way, in the event of a tragedy or unexpected life event, the plan is in place and does exactly what the person wants it to do.
Discuss the Disadvantages of Dying Without a Will in Montgomery County
A person should contact an attorney about writing their will when they decide they want to put an estate plan in place. Even if it is more premature in the sense that they simply want to learn more about estate planning or about the tax system, they should consult an attorney before putting a plan into place. It is never too soon to start thinking about estate planning and it is never too soon to create a will. Once these documents are in place, they can be updated very easily as changes need to be made. To discuss the disadvantages of dying without a will and to start planning for your future, call a Maryland attorney today.