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Q: Why should I create a will? I’m only twenty-five and in perfect health.

A: While death may be the furthest thing from your mind, now is still the time to draft a legal will. Anyone with savings and belongings, however modest, needs to ensure that in the case of sudden death, assets are distributed according to his or her wishes. If someone dies without a will, a probate court decides how the deceased person’s assets should be allocated. The process can take months and doesn’t guarantee that the individual’s estate is properly valued or that all potential beneficiaries are identified. By drafting a will, you can make sure your money and possessions go exactly where you want them to go. A proper will can also speed up the estate-settling process and minimize conflict among your next-of-kin. Most wills are straightforward documents but you should enlist a lawyer to help draft one to make sure your wishes are explicit and will hold up in court.

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