Do You Really Need a Will? A Plain Guide for Families

If you live in or around Cleveland, Tennessee, you have probably wondered whether you really need a will. Short answer: most adults do. A will is not only about money. It is a plan for people, property, and peace of mind.

What a will does

• Names who receives your property that does not already pass by beneficiary form or joint ownership
  
• Picks a personal representative to handle paperwork, bills, and taxes
  
• Names a guardian for minor children
  
• Gives instructions for keepsakes, pets, and digital accounts
  
• Reduces confusion and family conflict
  
  

What happens without a will in Tennessee

If you pass without a will, state intestacy laws decide who inherits. That may split assets in ways you would not choose, delay access for an unmarried partner, or leave out people you care about. A judge chooses who manages your estate, and a judge decides who raises minor children. Your family may face extra time, cost, and stress.

When a will is especially important

• You have minor children or plan to soon
  
• You are unmarried but have a partner
  
• You are in a blended family
  
• You own a home or business
  
• You want to support a friend, church, or charity
  
• You have a loved one with special needs
  
• You want certain items to go to specific people
  
  

What a will does not control

Some assets pass outside your will:

• Life insurance and retirement accounts with beneficiary designations
  
• Payable on death or transfer on death bank and investment accounts
  
• Joint ownership with right of survivorship
  
• Assets already titled in a trust

Tip: review beneficiary forms so they match your plan.

Will vs trust

A simple will works well for many families. A living trust can help you avoid probate, manage property in more than one state, keep more privacy, or control how and when heirs receive funds. Many people use both: a trust for key assets and a will to catch everything else.

Quick self-check

If you answer yes to any of these, make a will now:

• Do you care who raises your kids
  
• Do you want to choose who settles your estate
  
• Do you want to decide who inherits and when
  
• Would a family dispute be likely without clear instructions
  
  

Getting it done in Cleveland

• List your assets and how they pass today
  
• Choose beneficiaries, a guardian, and a personal representative
  
• Update beneficiary forms to align with your plan
  
• Sign with Tennessee formalities so your will is valid
  
• Review every 3 to 5 years and after major life events like marriage, divorce, birth, or a move
  
  

How our office helps

At Ashley Ownby, Attorney at Law, we draft clear wills that fit your family, your goals, and Tennessee law. We also coordinate beneficiary designations and advise when a simple trust or transfer-on-death deed may help. You leave with signed, organized documents and practical next steps.