Why every couple needs a will

© chimothy27 Flickr Will & Avery
© chimothy27 (Flickr)

The last thing on any new couples mind is death. Yet that inevitable chapter is a very real threat to every couple. While it is important not to dwell on the possibly of a spouse dying, it is important to address that fact and to establish a will.

A will is a legal document that states what will happen if one or both of a couple should die.

For example, if a couple has children, a will would dictate who should care for the children if both the parents should die. Without a will, the couple would have no say and it would be up to the state to decide who would get the children. This may not be in their best interests and may not be what the couple would have wanted.

Wills also protect the surviving spouse.

A will can determine whether or not a spouse will inherit the home, car, or other property. The will dictates who will inherit any money that a spouse may have in savings or invested. This will protect the spouse because another relative could not lay claim to money that should rightfully belong to the surviving spouse.

It may seem unimportant to a young couple with no children to have a will, but even then the will can make sure the surviving spouse receives property or finances they are entitled to. When the couple is older, changes can be made to the will and it can be updated as many times as needed. The more assets a couple has, the more important it is to have a will to protect each other and their children in the future.