Putting together a will is an important first step when you create your estate plan. This document allows you to dictate how to distribute your personal property after your death.
According to a recent Gallup poll, only 46% of Americans have created a will. If you belong to the group of Americans that has put together a will, there are certain things you cannot include in this legal document.
Funeral instructions
In most cases, reviewing estate planning documents and disbursing property among heirs does not happen until after the funeral. If you have certain specifications for your funeral, let a friend or family member know and even put this information in writing. If you put these directions in your will, they may not occur during your funeral.
Conditions on gifts
Putting conditions on any gifts you plan to give in your will is not always legal. For example, you cannot provide a gift based on the condition of divorce or marriage. If your will has illegal conditions included in it, the court will not enforce them.
Gifts to pets
You cannot leave gifts to a pet in your will because animals cannot legally own property. Instead of including a gift to a pet in your will, leave the pet to a friend or family member in your will who you know will take care of it.
Putting together a will is not always a straightforward process. Take time to consider what property you can and cannot include in your will and then make arrangements based on your purposes and goals.
