I read a letter to the editor in The Journal a while back that advised people to make sure they have a last will and testament in place. No matter your age or marital status, this is excellent advice, especially if you have assets such as a home and investments.
I would like to add that if you are a parent and married to someone who is not the parent of your children and who has children of their own to please make sure that your joint will provides for your children and your spouse’s children. Do not leave everything to your spouse and trust them to do what you both verbally agreed on for all the children.
Protecting your assets and those of your spouse is a sound, wise, equal, fair and necessary decision. Create a last will and testament that includes and provides for both families: the surviving spouse and all children, and then all children once the surviving spouse passes. Speak to an attorney or you can find reputable online do-it-yourself last wills and testaments.
Debie McCutcheon Schmitt
Cortez
