Everyone who seeks to specify the legal distribution of his or her personal property upon death needs to have a will. Generally, any person of sound mind, age 18 or older (but younger in some states), can have a valid will. Without a valid will (i.e., when a person dies intestate), the property of the estate is distributed according to established state laws of intestate succession which differ from state to state.
It is particularly important to designate, in a will, the guardian for the care of a child or disabled person. You will also designate the assets that you desire to go to, or be used in support of, specific persons named in your will. It is always wise to have an attorney who is familiar with estate planning law draw up or look over your will to be sure it does not specify unintended consequences and to be sure it is properly executed according to state law.
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