Six years and $100,000 have passed since my friend’s husband died on the basketball court. Being vital thirty-somethings, he and his wife had not put a will in place. Life had been good. They were very much in love; their first child had arrived six months earlier; he had a thriving business with his father. Who would have thought that life would change so drastically that November day?

But it did. And, because there was no completed will, her life became very complicated. The courts were involved in making decisions related to their child, and the probate process dragged on for six long years.

My friend’s situation may be more complex than that of many people. At the same time, her story highlights the necessity and urgency of having a completed will, durable power of attorney and advance directives that have all been properly executed. The greatest advantage is that you are the person making the decisions for your life, which makes it much easier for those loved ones that are left to administer your estate.

-Shannon