Denver, CO asked in Estate Planning for Colorado

Q: Do I need a will? I own a home, but am not married or have any children

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: You don't "need" a will if you don't care who inherits your real and personal property after you die. You can just let the chips fall where they may. A lot of people do care, however.

Are your parents still alive? Are you OK with them inheriting everything? If your parents are no longer living, are you OK with your siblings inheriting everything? Or, if you have no siblings, more distant relatives?

A will helps ensure that your items go to the people or charities you want to inherit.

For the home, you might consider a transfer on death deed. You still should have a will for everything else, but a TOD deed could be a simple solution for your home. Do not do this, however, without the advice of an attorney.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.