Wills

Wichita Will Attorney

Does Your Family Know Your Wishes?

Estate planning can be a delicate subject. It’s a topic that touches on finances, family, and the future—all areas that require careful handling. At the Law Office of Andrew Rowe, P.A., we understand the complexities surrounding the drafting of wills and the overall estate planning process.

Creating a will is an important step in the estate planning process. The probate process is something we all have to go through when we lose a loved one. It can be difficult to think about a future without you in it and even more difficult to decide who will get your assets and the best way to ensure they

Let’s explore how we can assist you in Kansas.

Why Is It Important to Have a Will in Kansas?

We often hear phrases like “I’m too young for a will” or “I don’t have much to leave behind.” But the reality is estate planning isn’t reserved for the elderly or the wealthy; it’s a sensible strategy for everyone. When you have a will in place, you are the decision-maker for your life’s work and savings, rather than leaving it up to state laws or the courts.

Do you have preferences about who should take care of your minor children in case you’re not around? How about any family heirlooms that you wish to pass down? What about your hard-earned savings and how they should be used? A will addresses all these concerns and more. If you don’t have a will, Kansas intestacy laws dictate how your assets are divided, and these statutes might not prioritize your spouse, your children, or your preferred charities the way you would have intended, especially if you had planned on disinheriting a family member, leaving them nothing from your estate. At the Law Office of Andrew Rowe, P.A., we offer tailored guidance to ensure your will represents your values, wishes, and responsibilities to your loved ones.

How Can We Help You Draft a Comprehensive Will?

The thought of sitting down to list assets and make complex decisions can be daunting. That’s why we employ a client-centered approach to ease you into the process. First, we’ll have a consultation where we get to know you—your lifestyle, your priorities, and your concerns. This isn’t just a formality; it’s crucial in understanding what’s unique about your situation.

We then walk you through an organized, step-by-step process to ensure nothing is overlooked. Together, we’ll compile an exhaustive list of your assets, which could include everything from real estate and vehicles to digital assets like social media accounts. Following this, we help you understand the roles and responsibilities of executors and beneficiaries to ensure you’re making informed decisions. We’re not just documenting your words; we’re translating them into legally enforceable instructions that stand up in a Kansas court, safeguarding your intentions long after you’re gone.

If you have minor children or a loved one who has special needs, we can help you create a trust that is an important part of the estate planning process. Trusts are a tool you can use to outline specific care and assets you would like to be used for your children should both parents pass away or become incapacitated. A dependent with special needs who receives an inheritance may run the risk of losing any government benefits they have. A special needs trust is a way to care for your loved ones without jeopardizing their benefits.

When Should You Update Your Will?

Life’s unpredictability is one reason estate planning is so crucial, but your estate plan shouldn’t be a static document. Every major life event—such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or even significant financial changes like winning the lottery or starting a business—warrants a review of your will.

Let’s say you initially wrote your will when you were single, and since then, you’ve gotten married and had kids. If your will isn’t updated, it might not provide for your spouse and children the way you would want. Or perhaps you’ve gone through a divorce, and your ex-spouse is still listed as a beneficiary or executor—that could be problematic. That’s why the Law Office of Andrew Rowe, P.A. considers will updates as part of an ongoing relationship with our clients. We aim to touch base periodically or when we know significant life changes have occurred, making sure your will is always an accurate representation of your life as it is, not as it was.

What Are Common Mistakes People Make When Drafting a Will in Kansas?

Drafting a will might seem straightforward, but it’s easy to make mistakes if you’re not familiar with Kansas state laws and how they could impact your estate. For example, not clearly identifying beneficiaries or not considering the tax implications could result in delays or financial burdens for your loved ones.

A legally sound will have these elements:

  • A named executor is the person in charge of the administration of your will and ensuring the debts and taxes on your estate are paid.
  • Clearly named beneficiaries who will receive assets and property from your estate.
  • If you have minor children, you will need to name a trusted adult who can care for your children should both parents die or become incapacitated.
  • A statement revoking prior wills if this is an update to a will you already had in place.

Other common pitfalls include not updating a will after major life changes or attempting a DIY will that isn’t legally sound or built around your specific needs. Our team is committed to helping you avoid these mistakes, ensuring that your will is both lawfully robust and fully reflective of your intentions. When you use one of our many estate planning services, you can rest assured knowing your intent and interests will be respected after you are gone.

Do You Need an Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer?

You likely pride yourself on your ability to get stuff done without anyone’s help. There are plenty of online services that can help you build a will, one that will likely get your point across and make it through the probate process uncontested. But what if those online forms forget to ask you a question specific to your circumstances? What if you have a loved one with special needs that relies on government benefits? What if your situation changes, and you don’t know how to change your will? How will you manage the situation when you don’t have a lawyer experienced with estate planning services who doesn’t see you as a client but as a person with a family that needs help?

Preparing for the future doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. You don’t need to do it alone. If you need assistance with drafting, updating, or understanding your will, we’re here to help. Call us at The Law Office of Andrew Rowe, P.A., today at 316-330-4110 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a dedicated Estate Planning Lawyer serving clients in Kansas.