Texas Attorneys Share What Shouldn’t Be included in Your Will

We are told many times through life that it's crucial to have a will in place in the inevitable event that we depart from this Earth. BUT, did you know there are some things that do not belong in your final will?

According to Texas Trust Law, these are the items that have no business whatsoever in wills and estate planning when the Grim Reaper comes a-knockin'.

Joint Accounts and Personal Wishes

If you already have a joint account with a spouse, family member, or beneficiary, don't bother including it in your will. These accounts will automatically transfer to the surviving owner. All this will do is create further confusion and redundancy. It can also lead to further legal conflicts in the future.

Also, if there is any beef in the family, don't make it worse by including private wishes for some family members in the will. Include these in a separate document for relevant eyes only.

Life Insurance and Personal Property

Life insurance can be passed to heirs through other means such as a life insurance trust instead of your will.

Also, personal property like jewelry or other tangible pieces with sentimental or high monetary value are not a good idea inside a will. Try trusts or speaking with the executor and providing detailed info on who gets what within the family.

Funeral Instructions

Wills are often read well after the body is interred at the cemetery, so don't include any burial instructions in your will.

Instead, speak with family and friends beforehand (if you can) and outline how you would like the funeral to go. Planning with the funeral home in advance is highly advised. This will be easier all around and lift some burdens off of your family during an already emotional time.

The full list of what not to include in your will can be found on the Texas Trust Law website.