Movies, television, and books like to present wills in dramatic ways--handwritten notes, videos, deathbed utterances--but what actually makes a will valid? The law varies depending on what state you live in, but there are some basic rules.
If you have been appointed the trustee of a trust, this is a strong vote of confidence in your judgment and trusthworthiness. It is also a major responsibility.
No one wants to face the fact that our loved ones will not be with us forever and facing our own mortality is frightening as well, but it is important to be prepared.
Siblings do not always receive equal shares of a parent's estate. Sometimes the inequality is intentional and sometimes it is accidental. Regardless of how it happens, it can cause arguments among the children.