The Conversation: Do you have a will?

Marketplace Contributor May 6, 2016
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Singer Prince performs onstage. He passed away last week but did not leave a will.  Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NCLR

The Conversation: Do you have a will?

Marketplace Contributor May 6, 2016
Singer Prince performs onstage. He passed away last week but did not leave a will.  Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NCLR
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In the wake of Prince’s death, the people handling his estate realized that the star didn’t leave behind a will, meaning that there are lots of questions still to be answered about Prince’s back catalog and his assets. 

That inspired us to ask our listeners: What experiences have you had with wills? Do you have a will? Why, or why not? What will you leave behind? What questions do you have about wills?

Jill Schlesinger joined the show to tell us how to avoid pitfalls and create a successful will or trust:

“First and foremost: Don’t let your fear of dealing with the estate process stop you from taking control and reducing the potential for future controversy. At the very least, you should write down a basic outline of what you would want to happen to your assets in the event of your death. Although I much prefer hiring an estate attorney to do it the right way and in accordance with state laws, having something basic in place is better than nothing.”

You can read Jill Schlesinger’s checklist on estate planning here, or click play above to hear more from our interview. Have a question of your own? Get in touch on our Facebook page, on Twitter, @MarketplaceWKND, or call us at 1-800-648-5114.

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