Do You Have a Will?

Over the past couple of weeks, the flu has made the rounds in both my household and in my entire family.  Obviously, this year’s strain of the flu has been publicized as extremely dangerous, and it’s doubtful that anyone hasn’t seen at least one news report listing the number of people who have died from the flu… some in a matter of hours, or days, or even a couple of weeks.

Now, normally, I wouldn’t think too much of that as we are a pretty hardy bunch… Until I actually contracted this year’s flu, that is.  Until the fever, chills, and the inability to breathe made me wonder if I was going to be a casualty, too.

Funny how you don’t really think about it UNTIL it just kind of hits you.  Suddenly, I wondered what would happen if I were one of the casualties… I didn’t even have a will!  I hadn’t made any real legal arrangements in the event that something were to happen to me!  And then it really hit me… the one person that I want to leave everything to wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on.  That person could end up with NOTHING even though WE have worked for everything WE have in this house.

Scary, isn’t it?  Especially when you realize that joint ownership, marriage licenses, family relationships… none of it guarantees that your final wishes will be carried out when you’re no longer there.  In fact, the lack of a will actually pretty much guarantees that your loved ones will not have an easy time when it comes to settling your estate.  (Even probate is a pain – and a will can help your loved ones to avoid that, too!)

What can you do?  Well, if you’re like me, and you don’t have a lot of cash around for an attorney, then you’ll want to come up with a simple will on your own.  One that will hold up legally when the time comes.  One that takes care of the ones you love.

And that’s why I like the Quicken WillMaker Plus.  Quicken is one of the oldest, most well known and well respected names in the business – and trust me, when the time comes that your will is needed, your loved ones will be glad you spent the money to do it right.