Estate planning isn’t something most people like to think about. However, it is necessary, regardless of how large or small your assets are. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t enough stuff to warrant having an estate plan. Everyone will leave something behind and most of us have ideas about who we would like to pass our possessions on to. Having a valid will in place will ensure that these wishes are carried out with the least amount of strife for the loved ones left behind.
There are several different methods you can employ as you begin drafting your will. You can go through your home room by room and earmark items for certain people or you can start with those items that mean the most to you and work your way down. Often people will ask their relatives to let them what they would like to have. Just keep in mind that if multiple people request the same item you will be put in the position of choosing which could create conflict. However you decide to go through your belongings, one thing is certain. You will need to know what you have and where you would like for it to go after you’re gone.
Drafting a will is no easy task. It requires considerable thought and documentation. Even once you’ve completed your first draft, you are far from finished. Your estate plan will likely need to be updated numerous times throughout your life. A change in assets, marital status, family births or deaths can all affect your will. Just thinking about it can be enough to give anyone a headache. One thing that can make the entire process just a little bit easier is Stockpile our free easy online inventory solution.
If you already use Stockpile to track your possessions, great. You’re ahead of the game, already. If not, click here to read our previous blog post on how you can use Stockpile to stay organized. Using Stockpile to keep track of your belongings has numerous benefits. Not only will you spend less time searching for the things that you need, you will also avoid buying items that you already own or worse, letting them languish in some forgotten nook or cranny of your home. Wouldn’t it be easier to sit down and go through your home inventory records online than to walk around your home with post-it notes and a clipboard trying to document everything? With online records you can easily see what you have and make notes about who you would like to receive that item later. You can check items off as you assign them and keep an accurate record of those pieces that are still undeclared. Even better, when the time comes to update your will, you’ll have records that you can easily refer back to.
Stockpile can really help your loved ones after your passing as well. The loss of a loved one is traumatic enough. Adding in confusion about who gets what and how assets should be divided only makes an already stressful situation even worse. Having a will can alleviate most of the issues but someone, likely your executor, will be responsible for locating specific items and distributing them to the appropriate friend or family member. If your belongings are logged in Stockpile with corresponding locations, this task can be quick and fairly easy for them to accomplish. Including photographs in item files can be very helpful as well. This can eliminate any confusion as to what constitutes a small vs. medium vase or whether you considered that quilt blue or green.
Estate Planning is Easier with Stockpile Free Easy Online Inventory Solution
Losing a loved one is hard. Dividing that person’s assets after their death can be stressful. Wouldn’t it feel good to know that you have done everything you can to make the whole process easier? If you don’t already have an estate plan in place, set aside time to create one. If you still haven’t entered your belongings into Stockpile, what are you waiting for? Creating an account is quick and easy and best of all, it’s free. You’ll be amazed at all the benefits you’ll realize by tracking your possessions in Stockpile free easy online inventory solution. Don’t believe us? Get started today and see for yourself!
