Brenda wrote: > > I urge anyone following this thread who has not done some financial > planning to please start, especially if you have children. The expense is > minor compared to the cost that will be paid later. >
A big right on! especially if you have kids! without a will, the court will choose the guardian and conservator for your children, usually after a messy family fight between various relatives who are sure that you wanted *them* and not *those others* to raise the kids - plus your kids will get their money from your estate, wrongful death proceeds, whatever, when they turn 18, not the best age to turn a bucket of money over to kids. You'd be surprised how fast they can blow it. A little testamentary trust in your will can ensure that your kids do not get their money until they are 25, or 30, some more responsible age, We see a large number of kids who blow off high school because why do they have to work, they are getting $30,000 or $50,000 when they hit 18, they think they can a car and still be set for life! And none of those dead parents in those situations planned on dying, either. Brenda has given the best advice ever!
