Do You Really Need a Will If You Don’t Own a Yacht?

Of course, you do! Let’s start here: You don’t need to own a mansion, a collection of vintage sports cars, or a secret vault of rare coins to need a will. You don’t even need to own property. If you have kids, a bank account, a box of keepsakes, or opinions about who should get your dog: welcome, this post is for you.

When You Don’t Write It Down, the State Fills in the Blanks

Dying “intestate” sounds dramatic (and possibly contagious), but it just means you didn’t leave a will. From there, New Jersey has a playbook for who gets your stuff. It’s a script written by lawmakers who’ve never met you, your family, or that cousin you haven’t spoken to in a decade.

The state’s order of inheritance is one-size-fits-some. It’s formulaic, inflexible, and doesn’t always account for nuances, such as estrangement, step-siblings, or that friend who’s essentially family. If you don’t want your third-favorite nephew getting your grandmother’s ring just because of birth order, it’s time to take control.

Kids and Courts

If you’re a parent, not having a will is like leaving your kids in the hands of a committee that just met five minutes ago. Judges in family court are doing their best, but they’re juggling overflowing dockets and tight deadlines.

In a will, you can name a guardian you trust. Better yet, you can separate roles: one person to raise your children, another to handle the money. It’s the parenting version of divide and conquer.

Even “Simple” Estates Can Get Tangled

Let’s be honest, New Jersey’s probate process isn’t exactly a bureaucratic nightmare, but it’s still a process. If you’ve got a will, it’s smoother. Faster. Cheaper. Fewer trips to the courthouse. Fewer arguments over the family china.

The will acts like an instruction manual for your stuff. No guesswork. No family meetings that start with “Mom would’ve wanted me to have it” and end in someone storming out.

And yes, even small estates benefit. Not everything you care about fits in a spreadsheet. Heirlooms, letters, pets, photo albums, the contents of your sock drawer. A will lets you direct where those things go—and keeps them from landing in the hands of someone who won’t appreciate your impeccable taste in novelty mugs.

It also covers digital life. Who gets access to your emails? Social media? That Dropbox folder filled with old family photos? A will lets you say what should happen to the virtual side of your life, too.

Make Decisions Now, So No One Has To Guess Later

Wills aren’t morbid—they’re generous. You’re sparing the people you love from confusion and conflict. You’re giving them a map instead of making them piece it together in real time while grieving.

Most people don’t want to spend the day sitting down and thinking about this stuff, but it takes less time than filing your taxes and saves your family way more grief.

Thinking about getting your affairs in order? Elias Counsel, LLC can help you draft a will that actually reflects your life. Give us a call at 609.655.3200 to set up a conversation.