Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Jan 08, 2009
Planning for your future is a necessary part of growing older which means coming to terms with the eventually of death. There are several things you can do to make life after your death less stressful for your friends and loved ones. Writing a will and taking out a quality life insurance policy is a start. The knowledgeable agents at Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. in North Dallas, Frisco and Plano will work closely with you to draft a life insurance policy that fits your needs. As an independent insurance agency, Tri-Star has the ability to compare rates with other top companies in order to provide you with an affordable life insurance package at the best available rate.
Having a good life insurance policy is beneficial for many reasons, but having a will on top of that is ideal. If you are like most Americans, sitting down and thinking about your mortality is probably not high on your to-do list. However, writing a will doesn’t have to be a dark and depressing deed, but instead a positive experience to ensure that your belongings and assets go to your loved ones and the people you designate. Some of your assets may include real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement funds, life insurance policies and other personal property.
If you have financial dependents, a quality life insurance policy combined with a well-written will is essential to maintaining your family’s quality of life in the event of your death. Writing a will when you have kids is a must, even if you are a young parent. Some questions to take into consideration about are:
- Who gets your money if you die?
- Who does your property go to if you die?
- Who is appointed guardian of your minor children?
There are several different types of wills including:
- Handwritten – Not considered to be a standard format, a handwritten will is used to state your intentions and is usually short and to the point. It is admissible in court as long as the handwriting can be verified.
- Oral – As will recognition varies by state, oral will are only recognized in a few states and are used in an emergency situation, such as the imminence of death. Also, only personal property is taken into consideration.
- Conditional/Contingent – Upon a certain act or condition, contingent wills go into effect. This doesn’t necessarily mean the person who wrote the will’s death, and could be anything from the beneficiary turning a certain ago to performing a certain deed.
- Joint/Mutual – As both terms mean exactly the same thing, a joint or mutual will deals with the distribution of assets of two or more people. Many times, it means a married couple signing one will versus having two separate ones. A joint/mutual will is also sometimes called a reciprocal will.
To learn more about the benefits of a will combined with comprehensive life insurance, contact Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc. at 214-387-0600 or visit www.tristarins.com. Make sure your life is in the hands of a professional. Call Tri-Star today!
Related Links
Smart Money
Fidelity Investments
Insurance Information Institute