571 - Do your adult children have their Wills prepared?

August is National Make A Will Month.

We don't normally think about our teenage children needing a Will.

Anyone who is sending children off to college should have their child prepare these important documents.

They need a Will, medical directives and Powers of Attorney, all notarized.

Why should everyone over the age of 18 have a Will?

Here are 3 Reasons:

1) To keep financial pressure off of your family. Without a written notarized document your family will have difficulty making decisions on your behalf.

2) You should have written instructions regarding your social media. Give someone you trust access to your social media so they will be able to handle your accounts according to your wishes.

3) Protect Your Pets. If you don't want your pet to end up in the wrong hands or at the dog shelter, designate, in writing, who you want to care for them.

There are others reasons, such as what to do with your other belongings and mementos but these 3 are at the top of the list.

We often don't like thinking about these things.

When my daughter was going off to college I told her I wanted her to complete her will.

She was indignant at first. "Mom, I'm NOT going to die. I'm going to college".

I asked her who will make decisions for her if she has a medical situation and can't make decisions for herself.

She said I could tell them what to do.

I explained that "THEY" will not ask me because as, an adult and without written instructions, the state will make decisions for her.

That was enough to change her mind. She got those documents prepared and notarized before leaving for college.

It really is one of the most important things you can do for your child when they enter adulthood.

Do your adult children have their Wills prepared?