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Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
New York Life | February 28, 2021
Updated December 18, 2023
Everyone should have a will, whether we’re multibillionaires or ordinary folks. Don't have one? What better time than a brand new year to start thinking about it? Below is some helpful information about wills and estate planning.
Why you need an estate plan
The papers are full of stories of wealthy, famous people who died without properly preparing to protect their heirs. Remember Joe Robbie, founder of the Miami Dolphins football team, who passed away in 1990? His family ended up having to sell the franchise to pay a reported $47 million in estate taxes.
In another famous case, when the singer Prince died in 2016 and in the absence of a will, scores of people emerged with claims on his fortune. Outlandish stories included people claiming to be his (previously never heard of) wife, his child, his sibling and distant relatives. The courts eventually awarded the estate to his sister and five half-siblings, but only after months of costly legal proceedings.
For some, these stories make wills and estate planning seem like they only apply to the very rich. But a will does more than make sure that your money is given to the right heir. It keeps your common-law wife or husband in the home that you shared together. It ensures that your children are in the care of the person that you choose. And it ensures that your life insurance is given to the right beneficiary.
Doing the right thing
All too often, people rely on others to “do the right thing.” But the right thing in your mind may be very different in the mind of a family member. Imagine you buy your first home with a deposit from your parents, which they say you need never pay back. Then you start a relationship they disapprove of. They may not have wanted you to pay the money back, but they may balk at the idea of leaving the house they helped pay for to your partner. Without a will, this could result in a legal wrangle that hurts all parties, at a time when they are grieving.
The majority of people just don’t get around to leaving a will or feel that they don’t have enough assets to leave to anyone, but the truth is that everyone needs a will or some legal document to lay out their wishes. It’s not enough to tell your partner what you want and hope that everyone else listens. It’s best for everyone if it’s clear so there can be no doubt.
A plan for the future
Making a will ensures that everyone knows your wishes, and it’s also the first step in the more comprehensive process of planning your estate.
Many of those who think they have no assets to leave forget that a moderately funded retirement account, some equity in a house, or a decent life insurance policy guarantee you’re worth more than you think.
It’s easy to put off a will, especially when we’re fit and healthy. Most of us don’t want to think of a time after we’re gone, but we must. Properly planning for our loved ones, with a guidance from your legal advisor, gives them peace of mind,the space to grieve, and the clarity to move on.
This article is provided for your informational purposes only. Neither New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any decisions.
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Media contact
Kevin Maher
New York Life Insurance Company
(212) 576-7937
Kevin_B_Maher@newyorklife.com