Everyone should have a personal Last Testament and Will, no matter their age or financial circumstances. When someone passes away, questions arise as to who is responsible for funeral arrangements as well as who will receive whatever belongings are left by the person. Here are a few tips to help you planning and writing your Will to give you and your loved ones peace of mind for the future.

Survey Your Belongings

While you know generally what you own at present and possibly what you expect to own when you eventually leave this earth, it is a good idea to categorize everything you own to prevent mistakes and confusion later. One way to do this is to make a list of your personal effects like clothes and jewelry, along with furniture, collectors’ items, machinery and tools, real estate, vehicles and boats, and anything else you own of value. You may want to have some of the more valuable items appraised by an expert, and then you can also take photos of the listed items to show their condition at the time the list is made and so readers know which “car” (if you own more than one) you are referencing.

Make a List of Beneficiaries

Although your list may change over time as friendships fade or someone passes away, create a list of relatives, friends, and organizations to which you would like to leave some of your belongings, whether material possessions, cash, or stock holdings. The list should also include one or two people who can serve as executors of your estate when the time comes. These individuals will work with an attorney to ensure that your wishes are carried out as planned. They may be eligible to collect a fee for their service.

Organize Financials

Arrange your income and expenses on a spreadsheet or another format so that your executor will be aware of your sources of income as well as bills and expenses. This will help during the settlement of an estate to ensure monthly expenses are paid on time until the estate’s final accounting and the distribution of remaining assets. Include things like subscriptions, website fees, post office box rental, and other seemingly minor items in addition to regular bills like mortgage or rent, utilities, and transportation along with taxes and insurance.

Get Professional Legal Advice

Managing your entire life’s material possessions as well as the financials can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing. Contact a wills and estates lawyer for legal advice and assistance to ensure everything is organized accurately and thoroughly.

While no one wants to think about these things, it is important to get everything in order instead of leaving your life’s work to chance.

Author information: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.