TongueOnFire said:
i thought wills and life insurance are different policies, they are not same! *confusing*
TOF
They are not the same.
An insurance policy has designated beneficiaries. That means, you chose who you want to get your insurance money when you die. You have to specifically name (designate) the beneficiary (person who "benefits" from your policy). Usually you name a primary (first) beneficiary, and a secondary beneficiary. For example, suppose you name your spouse as primary, and your mom as secondary. That means, if your spouse dies before you do, or at the same time (like in a car accident), then the insurance money goes to your mom.
You can also name "co-beneficiaries". You can name more than one person as primaries, which means they divide the benefits. Suppose you listed your spouse and mom as "co-beneficiaries". That means when you die your spouse gets 50%, and your mom gets 50%.
That is a very general, basic description.
Wills:
In your will you name who will inherit all your other assets (money, house, car, material possessions), and who will be guardians of your minor children (if you have any). If you don't have a legal will prepared, the courts will decide who gets what. They usually follow a formula of percentages and relationships. If you want to be sure that your choices are followed, you need to have a written will.
If you want to have instructions for your funeral, don't include them in the will. Wills are sometimes probated (read in court) weeks after death. That is too late for your funeral. Have your funeral plans on a seperate paper that your family can easily find.
In fact, your will, your living will, and funeral instructions should all be in a place easy to find. Let your family know how to find your paperwork.
Any questions?