Wills

PRACTICE AREAS

WILLS

A Last Will & Testament is a document designed to ensure that your funds, property and personal effects will be distributed after your death according to your wishes. A Will also allows you to spell out any specific instructions you may have - whether it is funeral or burial instructions or who will take care of the pets. Having a Last Will & Testament makes it much easier for your family to clear up all the issues that normally appear when a person dies - things like paying final bills and transferring funds. It also allows you to designate a specific person or persons to handle your affairs after your death.

Although a Will can be simple to create, about half of all Americans die without one (or intestate). Without a Will to indicate your wishes, the court steps in and distributes your property according to the laws of the state.

Wills are not just for the wealthy; the amount of property you have is irrelevant. A Will ensures that what assets you do have will be given to family members or other beneficiaries you designate. If you have no apparent heirs and die without a Will, it's even possible the state may claim your estate.

In preparing your Last Will & Testament, our office will help you outline your objectives, inventory your assets, estimate your debts and prepare a list of family members and other beneficiaries. Together we will use this information to carefully consider which assets will pass through your Will, and which assets will pass through by the process of named beneficiaries on other financial instruments.

Please contact the Law Offices of Bernadette M. Crowley at (718) 423-5500 or [email protected] for more information.