Savings and Investments

Wills  Legal document that specifies how you want your property to be distributed after your death.  Intestate Die without a legal will State will step in and control the distribution of your estate.  Probate Legal procedure of proving a will to be valid or invalid.

Wills  Simple will Leaves everything to your spouse  Formal will Prepared by an attorney.  Holographic Will Handwritten will that you prepare yourself Needs to be written, dated, and signed entirely in your own handwriting.

Other Legal Documents  Trusts Legal arrangement that helps manage the assets of your estate for your benefit or that of your beneficiaries.  Living Will Document in which you state whether you want to be kept alive by artificial means if you become terminally ill and unable to make such a decision.  Power of Attorney Legal document that authorizes someone to act on your behalf.

Guardian  Person who accepts the responsibility of: 1. Providing children with personal care after their parents’ death 2. Managing the parents’ estate for the children until they reach a certain age