Final Preparations Considerations for Single/Lone Individuals: Creating a will without an executor? And No Notary/Witnesses?

[watchingthewheels]

Just wondering about practical things: Is it absolutely required to assign a will with an executor?

Maybe someone here has some solid information or knowledge about this: If a single person who is thinking about CTB has no family or trusted person to assign as executor of a will, can one still create a will without one? Is it required? Or is it even worth it to create one?

I'm thinking of instances where someone once to keep their CTB plans secret, and can't tell anyone who may potentially be the executor, or someone who simply has no one to name, or doesn't want to burden someone with that responsibility of handling final bills, etc, especially without asking, but can't ask (especially if it comes as a shock that the person CTB). And with no real assets or debts to take care of. (No house/mortgage, minimal possessions, debts paid off except monthly expenses like phone, etc...

Also, with no witnesses to the creation of the will, and no notary, is it even worth it, then? (Assuming the person wouldn't want others to know why they're creating a will for CTB purposes, or simply has no one.) That one depends on the state, my state doesn't legally require notary/witnesses, but that can make it difficult later).

Is it potentially better just to CTB without those things, then, if one's not worried about distributing possessions, etc? Like, they really only want a will to express how they want their body taken care of, say, cremation...)

 

[MidnightDream]

If you don't have a lot of assets and/or aren't too bothered with what happens to your stuff afterwards, I personally wouldn't bother. It's not required

 

[watchingthewheels]

If you don't have a lot of assets and/or aren't too bothered with what happens to your stuff afterwards, I personally wouldn't bother. It's not required

Sorry, what's not required, the executor? OR the will?

 

[MidnightDream]

The will. You would need an executor as far as I'm aware

 

[watchingthewheels]

The will. You would need an executor as far as I'm aware

Ah, thanks.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I recently made a will where my solicitors will be the executors. They got someone in their office to witness it.

When my Dad goes, I will have no close family left. Only step relations and friends who live hundreds of miles away. I don't want them to have to deal with anything.

My solicitor knows to arrange for a house clearance service. If my Dad goes, I will go ahead and prepay for a cremation without a service. I need to pay off my phone and gather together all the relevent information regarding bills, tax return etc. Maybe even social media crap. I know it's a lot of work- but they'll charge for it- out of the estate.

I feel kind of bad for involving them in what may shock them (the lady I dealt with was really nice.) Still- someone will have to deal with it. At least they're being paid for it!

I'm sure people do write their own wills- I've even seen guides in stationary shops. I imagine you would need to name an executor though and have it witnessed. Still- you wouldn't need to tell them you were planning to CTB. People make wills at all ages. I had to find my initial will to destroy it- to avoid confusion. I was under 20 when I made that.

I think without one- presumably the state assigns a solicitor and I imagine any assets will go to next of kin- if they can trace them.

 

[Ultracheese]

How does appointing an executor work?

 

[watchingthewheels]

How does appointing an executor work?

You just state someone in your will, and an alternate, in case the first person can't or won't do it. But ideally, it should be someone who agrees to it.

 

[Ultracheese]

You just state someone in your will, and an alternate, in case the first person can't or won't do it. But ideally, it should be someone who agrees to it.

How would one go about asking someone, especially if they're on the younger side and talking about a will would seem suspicious?

 

[watchingthewheels]

How would one go about asking someone, especially if they're on the younger side and talking about a will would seem suspicious?

Well, that's a sticky wicket in itself... But at least feasible if there's someone one can trust or rely on, then it depends on the context. But I'm thinking about times when there is no one to ask, no family or friends.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

I didn't assign an executor in my will. If I had someone I would have. All my family died and I have no friends. My attorney said it was not necessary, anyway. There is a clause added in my will whereby the court is directed to hire a professional executor (they have those) who will perform the same functions as an assigned executor would, and who do it for the same percentage of the value of the estate.