Of course no one likes to think, let alone talk, about death. The death of a beloved family member or friend always comes as a shock and pain to everyone. Therefore we choose to ignore the possibilities of death and all its unpleasantness. But is this really the right choice to make? Many people think a will is only for the old and extremely wealthy. Both these assumptions are wrong. Even if you are young and just starting off your career, a will is beneficial both to you and your family in many ways.

The main reason why you should write a will is to ensure the well-being of your family following your death. It will be a difficult time for them and financial difficulties is the last thing you want to leave behind. Without a will, any unmarried partners and step-children will not receive any of your assets. Instead it could be owned by a distant relative you have never met or be taken up by the government, leaving your loved once empty handed. Even in the case of a married couple, extensive paper work and processing is required in the absence of a will, before they get access to your possessions, including savings and life insurance. This could take weeks and even months. By writing a will you can make sure they will not face any such difficulties.

Another reason why you should write a will is to name a guardian to take your place and raise your young children in the event of your death. If you do not leave a will, a court will decide a guardian and this might not be the best choice. By writing a will you can make sure your children are loved and cared for even if you are no longer there.

A will also gives you the ability to distribute your assets according to your wish. You can decide what and how much your family members inherit. For example, if you have two grown-up children, one living with you and another one living abroad, you can choose to leave your house to the child living with you while the one abroad could be given a bigger portion of your savings. And if you have a family member with special needs, you can create a trust, which will provide for them in the future. This will make everyone happy and also help to avoid any possible conflict within your family.

In addition to these, a will also gives you a chance to put your life’s earnings to a good cause. You can arrange for your assets to be transferred to a charity of your choice. You can also create a fund directed at a good cause like funding an orphan child or contributing to an organization like the WWF or the World Food Program.

Moreover, having a will brings peace of mind to you and your family. If you are diseased and afraid you must face death, having a will keeps you away from endless worries of leaving your family unsupported, and, instead allows you to remain hopeful and with peace of mind.

Last but not least, a will allows you to voice your final burial wishes. Arranging a funeral can be difficult and painful, but you can help your family by letting them know your wish.

The best feature of a will is that it will not be ultimate. It can be renewed and superseded as you see fit, especially in the event of marriage/divorce or the birth of a child. This means that you should review your will regularly, ideally every five years and following any major life changing events.