What Not To Include in Your Will in the State of Iowa

Contrary to popular belief, you can’t just put anything in a will. Certain things are not yours to dictate. If you require assistance with estate planning, please read on, then contact an experienced Des Moines wills lawyer to learn what not to include in your will in the state of Iowa.

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What should you not include in your Iowa will?

The list of things not to include in a last will and testament is long and varied, but some of the most frequently brought up include the following:

Business interests

Personal wishes and desires

Coverage for a beneficiary with special needs

Property in a living trust

Retirement plan proceeds, including money from a pension, IRA or 401k

Stocks and bonds held in beneficiary

Proceeds from a payable-on-death bank account

Anything you do not want going through probate, such as personal property or household items

Why should you make a will in Iowa?

Simply put, a will can help protect your family and your property. You can use a will to do the following:

Leave your property to people or organizations

Name a personal guardian to care for your minor children

Name a trusted person to manage the property you leave to minor children

Designate an executor, i.e. the person who makes sure that the terms of your will are carried out

When a person dies without a will, Iowa Code provides a surviving spouse with an exclusive right for 20 days to file with the court a petition to initiate administration of the estate. Other heirs in succession, starting with surviving children, if any, have an additional 10 days to file such a petition. For your own personal reasons, you may not want that to happen. If that is so, then you should reach out to a skilled Des Moines estate planning lawyer in order to discuss your next steps.

How can a Des Moines estate planning attorney help you?

While the Hawkeye State does not require you to engage the services of a legal professional in order to create a will, you would be well advised to do so. For instance, if you think that your will might be contested or if you wish to disinherit your spouse, you should talk with an attorney. Our firm can help you create a will that will withstand or prevent any challenges to its legitimacy. By fully apprising you of your rights and responsibilities, we will help you draft a will that meets your needs and those of your chosen heirs. This process can be time-consuming and complicated, so you can’t afford to go it alone. Please give us a call today.

What Not To Include in Your Will in the State of Iowa

What should you not include in your Iowa will?

Why should you make a will in Iowa?

How can a Des Moines estate planning attorney help you?

Contact Our Des Moines, Iowa Firm