Who Should Make a Will in Maryland?

At a certain point in your life, you might look around and wonder whether or not you should make a will. While having a will is important for many people, for certain individuals, it is all but necessary.

Many different types of people should make a will in Maryland. This includes people with children and those who are married. Making a will can allow you to decide the distribution of your assets prior to your death so that there is no room for confusion after you die. Even if you are single and without children, you should make a will if you own property or have other valuable assets. Wills must be made in a certain fashioned to be honored by the probate court. For example, they need to be signed by the testator and two witnesses. Wills should also be filed with the Register of Wills Office for safekeeping.

To have the Maryland wills and estate planning lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras assess your case for free, call (410) 694-7291 today.

Who Should Have a Will in Maryland?

Making a will can seem like a rather adult process, something that should be done down the line in life, not right now. In reality, many different types of people should have a will in Maryland so that their assets are properly handled in the event of their death, regardless of their age. This includes people with children, who are married, who own property, or who have other valuable financial assets.

People with Children

If you have kids, you should have a will. While Maryland’s intestacy laws include a decedent’s children, you might want your assets distributed among your kids in a different way. Furthermore, you can include your desired guardian for your children in your will in the event of your untimely death. This will ensure your children are protected, financially or otherwise, if you die unexpectedly.

When you have children, our Annapolis wills and estate planning lawyers can help you execute a will to include your kids based on the size of your family and your assets at the time. As your family grows, we can execute codicils to ensure all of your children are included in your last will and testament. Suppose you do not intentionally include all of your children, and you have a will in place. In that case, the stipulations of the document will take precedence over Maryland’s intestacy laws, possibly leaving some of your kids out.

People Who Are Married

When a married person dies, whether or not they have a will, their spouse will likely get most of their assets. However, the probate process can become extremely complicated if a will is not in place, leaving room for other family members to battle over certain assets. It is best to put in writing what you want your spouse to get and how you would like your assets to be distributed. You and your spouse should both have wills in place, as there is no way to know what will happen in the future. If you get divorced or have separated from your spouse, you might want to update your will to reflect your new relationship. Having a will in place eliminates a whole host of problems your spouse might otherwise have to deal with when grieving after your death. It is best to make a will so your spouse and your family can avoid such difficulties.

People Who Own Property

If you own property, you should have a will. This is true for property owners who are unmarried and without children. If you do not have a will, Maryland probate courts will become responsible for handling and distributing your assets. That may be the last thing you want, as Maryland’s intestacy laws might be in direct contradiction to your wishes. Having a will in place can allow you to clearly identify the beneficiaries of real estate that you currently own.

People with Assets

Various assets, like bank accounts, investment assets, businesses, and personal collections, can be somewhat up for grabs if a person does not have a will. Essentially, if you own anything of considerable value or have a positive net worth, it is important to make a will. This will provide clarity and ease for your loved ones in the wake of your death. This goes for anyone in this situation, regardless of age, marital status, or whether or not they have children.

How Can You Make a Will in Maryland?

If you are young, single, without children, and without any significant financial assets, you might not need a will just yet. However, if you’ve begun to grow your family or have found financial success in life, regardless of your age, making a will might be a good idea. So, how can you do this in Maryland?

Start by reviewing all of your assets with our lawyers. Then, consider how you would like them to be distributed. If you want some of your assets to go to charity or specific friends, note that in your will. Without making a clear indication of how you want your assets to be distributed, the probate court will take such matters into its own hands.

Once you have decided these things, it’s time to put it in writing. Wills in Maryland should be typed, signed by the testator, and signed by two competent witnesses. Wills do not have to be notarized.

After your will is finalized, file it with the Register of Wills Office in your area. You can also keep a copy at home to refer to periodically. As your life changes, you might want to update your will. We can do this by executing a codicil. Codicils must be made in the same manner as wills to be valid. If you execute a codicil, file it with the Register of Wills Office as well.

Call Our Maryland Lawyers to Make Your Will

Call our Silver Spring, MD wills and estate planning lawyers at (410) 694-7291 today to set up a free case review from Rice, Murtha & Psoras.