Millennials largely don’t have wills yet

On Behalf of | Sep 10, 2018 | Wills

A recent survey published by Caring.com says 78 percent of Millennials don’t have wills. Talking about death can make people uncomfortable, but people in Nevada who die without a will can cause problems for their loved ones. A simple will sets forth how a person, called the testator, wants his or her assets distributed after death. It names an executor to oversee the process and make sure the transfers are done. Having a will can simplify the process even for people who would leave everything to their parents at this point.

Beyond a will, the other two estate planning documents Millennials should have, generally speaking, are an advance medical directive and a durable power of attorney. Durable powers of attorney name someone to step in on behalf of the testator to handle financial matters. This would come into play if someone becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unavailable to make important financial decisions. An advance medical directive defines an individual’s end-of-life wishes regarding matters such as comfort measures and life support.

Millennials should be sure to designate beneficiaries for brokerage, retirement and bank accounts. Digital assets are also increasingly important, and people want to have control over what happens to their online presence and digital assets when they die. A simple will can, in most cases, give the executor directions regarding what to do with emails, photos, social media accounts and other digital assets.

People who have questions about creating an estate plan in Nevada might want to speak with an attorney. A lawyer with experience in estate planning law may be able to help a client draft a will that meets his or her needs and goals. An attorney might recommend including language instructing the executor regarding how to dispose of digital assets or help the client ensure that beneficiaries are properly designated for assets of all kinds.