A majority of adult Americans do not have wills.

Some 70% of us will spend a lifetime of working, accumulating an estate, and caring for a family and loved ones and then leave the distribution of our property up to state law, which may not be in accordance with our wishes. Probably no other document in your lifetime is as important as your will.

With a will you can:

• determine to whom, how, and when your assets will be distributed;
• name an executor who will manage the estate in accordance with your intentions;
• create trusts for your spouse, children, or others, thus providing income for beneficiaries as well as saving taxes;
• reduce and sometimes eliminate estate taxes; and
• make gifts to charity. A charitable organization can never inherit from the estate of an individual who dies without a will.

A will should not be made and forgotten; it needs to be reviewed periodically and revised.

Regardless of your age or your financial circumstances, there is no better time than the present to plan for the disposition of your assets through the means of a will prepared by your attorney. A carefully thought-out will can minimize the impact of estate taxes and provide more funds for your family, as well as an enduring expression of your charitable wishes.

Where Should I Start?
You should first make a list of all your property and its approximate value. Then you need to decide to whom you want to leave your property and in what manner. The attorney who prepares your will might suggest that some part of your property be left in a trust: your will, for example, could create a trust to provide income to your spouse for his or her lifetime, with the property then to go to your children. Trusts of this nature can often be used to save estate taxes. Your attorney can advise you about such tax savings and can also show you how a gift made under your will to a charity such as The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service saves taxes.

Who Should Be My Executor?
The executor named in your will has the responsibility of carrying out its directions. You can name a spouse, relative, or friend. Many people prefer to name a bank or trust company that is experienced in handling estates and managing the investment and distribution of property. One advantage of a bank is its permanence—an individual could predecease you.

What Does a Will Cost?
For a simple will, most lawyers would likely charge about $500. The cost normally will increase as the complexity of the document increases, but the professional involvement is well worth it: A will must meet the legal requirements of your state. If it does not, it could be invalid.