How to Make a Will - A Guide for New Parents and Parents to be

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A will can help you plan for the future of those that are dearest to you. As a new parent or a parent to be, consider making a will early to get it off your mind. If you have acknowledged the importance of making a will, you start wondering what this decision entails.

What should you do in order to arrange it? What must it include? Here are a few answers to questions such as these.

Where to start

Since a will is literally supposed to express your will, regarding distribution of assets and care for your loved ones, you should think out what is important for you to ensure after your death. The best way to think out such things is with the help of lists; lists of beneficiaries, assets, debts, special possessions etc. When creating these lists, think of any special situation in your life such as a child who might need extra help, or an organization you would like to reward financially.

It is important to include in your will an article stating what you want to have done with anything you haven't specified. You should have a clause saying: "I give the remainder of my estate to…" in order to avoid confusion when distributing your assets. For similar reasons, you should try to keep the will as clear as possible, when it comes to the names of the beneficiaries and your relation towards them.

These considerations might seem bizarre and alien to you at the stage of life you are now in, but if you don’t make these decisions while they are irrelevant, you may not get around to deciding upon them at all.

The Elements of a Will

Here are the basic elements usually included in a will that might help you understand what you should think of when drafting a will:

1. Your will must specify your name, place of residence and date of signature. These requirements may seem trivial, but wills have been overturned for less.

2. A brief description of your assets and the names of your spouse, children or other beneficiaries you wish to give any of your assets to.

3. You may want to include cancellation of debts owed to you or specify gifts that should be given to establishments or friends.

4. You must specify the name of an executor to manage your will, and the name of a chosen guardian to care for your minor children. You should mention alternative options, in case your first choices will be unable or unwilling to fulfill your request .

5. Finally your will must have your own signature and the signature of two witnesses.

Keeping and updating your will

You should think of a safe place to keep your will, a place your beneficiaries will have access to after your death. A copy should be kept in the hands of an attorney or other person of your choice, which also specifies the whereabouts of the original.

If you want to update your will, the best way is probably to draw up a new one. Usually you will choose to change your will because of changes in your life, such as the birth of another child. In any case, you should destroy the previous will and make sure the new will has all the elements that will ensure its validity in court.

Remember that making a will is just a formality that you should get it out of the way. Perceive it as an act that helps take worries off your mind rather than something which may cause worry or anxiety. A will helps plan the future of your loved ones, even when you can't be there to support them in the choices they must make.

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