I wanted to write something, but fuck if I know what I want on the internet any more. I'm watching three kids deal with a dead dad while their (two) mom's fight over about $30K. Which will be $10K when the fight is over. Which will be $5K in parties and drugs and $5K in shitty life choices and bail if history is a guide. If I can give any of you young people out there any advice that you should set in stone it is this: Write out a will, get it notarized, make it available to at least SOMEONE outside your family. Do you have more than $3,000 net worth? You need a will. Do you have a 401(k)? IRA? Roth? Stocks? You need a will. Do you own a car? Yea, you need a will. House/land/property? You need a will. Student loan debt? You need a will listing assets at least so that the feds don't go after your family. Also, check on cosigners and make sure they are listed as a beneficiary. Kids? If you have kids and don't have a will you are a fucking idiot. Full stop. List the people who take your kids if you die. Set them up as your beneficiaries. If you don't have a will stating where your shit goes, the government will take over your estate (depending on state and national laws, ask when you get your will done).
The wife and I have talked about the need for wills, not necessarily so we can distribute our assets -- we really have none -- but so that we can make our wishes known, what we want to happen if we due, where the children go etc. In the UK, so many people do not have wills that there are charities running free wills months and some focus on young adults especially, this year is the year we get this sorted.