There are two kinds of wills:  a Living Will and a Last Will & Testament. Without these, you and your loved ones are put at an  unnecessary and serious disadvantage.

NO LIVING WILL MEANS...

• No Control: Without a valid Living Will, your wishes will never be known. You may be kept alive or starved to death – and your wishes will count for nothing. Terri Schiavo's tragic  case reminds us all to make a Living Will.

• Uncertainty: Advances in medical science make it possible to keep a person “technically alive” for long periods without a Living Will, your family will have to wait and watch as your medical care team make all the decisions.

• Uncontrolled Expenses: If you’re kept alive artificially, the medical charges can be enormous. Making a Living Will can save your loved ones from having to bear this financial burden.

NO LAST WILL & TESTAMENT MEANS...

• More Misery:There’s a big risk you’ll leave your loved ones in misery – bereaved and FORCED to sort out the mess you leave behind.

• Painful Struggle:There’s a big risk you’ll leave your loved ones months of strangers, worry, costs, lawyers, officialdom, uncertainty, paperwork, technicalities and maybe tax bills too – all inflicted on them by you.  

• No Control: No gifts to your best friend, close friends, in-laws, charities or anyone else outside your immediate family. No Last Will & Testament means only blood relatives inherit. And they will, even if you don’t want them to. Your possessions will be distributed according to state rules – ignoring what your loved ones need, ignoring what you want. Something you love could even go to someone you hate.

• Decisions by Strangers: When you die, the courts decide what happens. No special rules for your loved ones, your possessions, your property or your money. All that’s yours will be controlled by some judge you’ve never met, working to a set of rules laid down by a bunch of politicians.

• Children with Strangers: If you die leaving a child under 18, your son or daughter could end up in the care of a stranger. Anything your child inherits from you will be placed in the control of someone you may not know. And, the day your child turns 18, the care stops and your child inherits the estate. By having no Last Will & Testament, you give up all control or influence over how your gift is used – for your child or by your child.  

• Extra Costs: A court-appointed Administrator who must be bonded, which costs about 10% of what you leave.  

• More Costs: Court costs, administrator fees and probate lawyers’ fees – all bigger because there’s no Last Will & Testament. And they’ll all get paid before anyone you love can inherit a penny – another loss for your family.

• No Privacy: A court-appointed administrator going through your private papers and taking control of ALL your possessions.

• Lost Inheritances: If you die leaving a child under 18 and there’s no other parent – a judge takes over. Courts decide where your child lives and goes to school and how much money your child needs – but only to age 18. Then, your child automatically inherits what’s left of his or her net share after deducting costs for the court, the Administrator and, of course, the lawyers.

• Kids May Get Nothing: Any grandchildren or stepchildren you have might inherit nothing. Even if you love them dearly, their rights in law are limited.

• Family Feuds: Family members and friends could well end up fighting one another for what they want of yours.  In bereavement, few people act normal