Protecting your family's legacy

​If you're married with young children, you might assume your spouse would receive your entire estate if you pass away without a Will. Surprisingly, that's not the case. If you don't have a Will when you die, your estate would be distributed according to the state's default inheritance rules. You may be dismayed to learn that those default inheritance laws direct only half of your estate to your spouse, and the other half to your children. Worse yet, if any of your minor children inherit part of your estate, your representatives may be required to set up expensive court guardianships for each child. A Will allows you to override the default inheritance rules, ensuring your entire estate goes to your surviving spouse.