What is a will?
A will is a legal paper.It says what you want to have happen after you die to the things you own.You write a will to say who will get your things.To make a will, you have to be at least 18 years old.You have to be of sound mind.Sound mind means you know what you are doing and decided things for yourself.Unless you write it by hand,the will has to be signed in front of a notary.It also has to be signed by two witnesses.

Why should I make a will?
You may need a will IF:
* You want to leave certain things to certain people.
* You want all or part of your things to go to a friend or charity.
* You want one person to get more or less than the others.
* You want to make sure one person gets nothing.
* You have no close family (parents,children,husband,wife,brothers or sisters).
* You want one distant relative get everything.
* You own land,buildings,a business or have anything worth a lot of money.
* And you need to save on taxes.
Do you have children under age 18?Do you want to pick who will be their guardian
if you die?You do NOT need a will to do that.You can just write a letter saying who
you want for their guardian.

What if I don ’t make a will?
The State has a law which really is a one-size-fits-all will.Here is how it works:
1. Usually, your things are divided among your husband or wife and your children.
2. If you have no children, your husband or wife gets everything.
3. What if your husband or wife dies before you? Then your children or grandchildren get everything. All children get the same share.
4. What if you have no husband or wife and no children? Then your parents get
your things.
5. What if your parents also have died before you? Then your brothers and sisters,
or their children, get your things.
6. What if you die with no husband, wife, children, parents, brothers or sisters? Then
other relatives get your things.
7. The State will only get your things if you have no relatives who can get them.

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The information available through TBALink LawBytes is basic legal information and is not a substitute for legal advice. LawBytes is provided by the Tennessee Bar Association as a public service and for general information only. It should not be considered legal advice. You should consult your attorney if you have questions concerning any specific situation. If you do not have an attorney, may we suggest that you contact your local bar association's referral service. The topics covered through TBALink LawBytes will provide basic information and should make it easier for someone with a problem to decide whether they need professional help from a lawyer or if another agency could provide them with assistance.