Page 30 - Book10E

20
• Life insurance policies
• 401(k), IRA, pension/retirement accounts
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• Ownership interest in a business
• Cars, boats, planes, and other vehicles
• Jewelry
• Collectibles
• Artwork
• Antiques
• Furniture
• Other personal property
If you decide to write your will yourself using a software program such as Quicken Willmaker, sit down in front of your computer with all of the above information and in a few hours you can produce a will that is legal in your state. Be sure to follow the software’s instructions on having your will signed and witnessed. If you feel more comfortable having a lawyer do it, you'll need to take the above information with you to your appointment.
You may also want to take a look at LegalZoom (www.legalzoom.com) which is a low-cost alternative to pricey attorney services for some of the simpler legal tasks such as wills, living wills and living trusts.
Finally, remember that the best of wills won’t be any good if nobody knows how to find it. Make sure your family members and your execu- tor know where your will is kept.
Writing Your Will
Do you already have a will? If not, should you go to the trouble of writ- ing one? As explained by the American Bar Association’s Division of Public Education and the Maine State Bar Association, a will is a docu- ment that allows you to direct the distribution of your assets—your money, real estate, and personal property—after your death. Or stated another way, a will lets you control what happens to your property. If
Wills and Trusts