Wills
It's never too early to start thinking about how your estate will be distributed. Unfortunately, every day millions of dollars are lost through unnecessary taxes and estate expenses. Your estate includes everything you own—your hard-earned money, house, real estate, vehicles, life insurance, investments, and anything else you hold dear. These are the things you want your family and their families to enjoy and to make a positive impact on their lives for many years.
Your will is an excellent way to assign a portion of your legacy to your church or worthy charity. North Heights can assist you with more information about setting up a will. Give us a call or email and we help you get started.
CONTACT
Email Luann Pheneger or call 651-797-7825
Benefits of having a Will
A will makes provisions for good stewardship of your assets when you can no longer express your intentions because of death.
- A will specifies how your assets are to be distributed
- A will selects the individual you wish to settle your estate
- A will determines legal guardianship of minor children
- A will can reduce or exempt your estate from Federal Estate Taxes
- A will fulfills your charitable intentions
Q & A about Wills
WHAT IS A WILL?
A will is a legal document that specifies after your death how, when, and to whom your assets will be distributed. Your assets include such items as your house and other real estate, furnishings, vehicles, life insurance, money accounts and funds, stocks and bonds, and any other possession of significant value. A will also establishes who will manage and handle the distribution of the assets in your estate. Finally, if you have minor children, it will name the guardian of your children.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A WILL?
Anyone of legal age, parents of minor children, and anyone who has assets of value that they want to distribute to specified individuals or charitable organizations.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DIE WITHOUT A WILL?
You give the state the authority to decide for you! You lose the right to provide for your family in the way you may prefer after your death. You lose the opportunity to determine guardianship for minor children. You forfeit the opportunity to leave a legacy to your church or your favorite charity.
IS JOINT TENANCY A SUBSTITUTE FOR A WILL?
It is advisable to engage competent legal counsel for drafting your will. If you do not have legal counsel, North Heights can provide legal counsel to create a simple legal document that will declare your desires for the disposition of your estate to your family and loved ones while also leaving a gift to a charity of your choice. If you desire to leave a gift to North Heights, a simple provision may go as follows: "I desire to give ($ or % of my distributable estate) to North Heights, a non-profit corporation located in Arden Hills, Minnesota."