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Make your last will your first priority
Posted 6/5/2012 Updated 6/8/2012
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by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/5/2012 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Editor's Note: This is part one of a three story series highlighting Air Force Legal Assistance Month.
As many ways as there are to prolong life, scientists have yet to find a way to make us live forever. That is why it is important to prepare your last will and testament, so you can ensure your affairs are in order before you pass.
A will is your statement of intent regarding who receives your property when you die, collects and hands over that property and acts as guardian of your minor children. A will can also cover other wishes you want carried out upon your death. In most cases, if you die without a will, your next-of-kin will inherit your property.
"I would say the most important reason that people should have a last will and testament is if they have children," said Capt. Juan Godinez, 35th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate chief of legal assistance. "The will would express the parents' intents, in the event that both parents predecease the children. If the parents don't express who they want to have custody of their children, then it's up to the court to decide, which can become a contentious battle if there are several family members that want custody of the children."
When drafting a will, we recommend that parents have a guardian and a back-up guardian that they can appoint so if for some reason the first guardian can't take care of the children, whether it be for financial or health reasons, there will be a back-up, said Godinez.
Another important reason to have a last will and testament is to express how you would like your funeral service to be arranged when you die, said Godinez.
"If you don't have a last will and testament, it could lead to troubles in the future," said Godinez. "If you are to die without a will, the courts are going to divide your assets for you, and each state has certain default rules that determine who will get your property."
If you wish to make a last will and testament, you can fill out a will worksheet on https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. After completion of the worksheet, you can call the legal office, at 226-4022, to schedule an appointment to begin drafting your will. Additional information can be found on the legal assistance website or by calling the legal office.
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