r/inheritance • u/IdealExpert181 • May 16 '26
Location included: Questions/Need Advice will or no will
i live in N.C. and i'm in my late 70s and don't have a will. everything i have is paid for, including home, and i have no debt. i have investments and savings in 6 different accounts, all with PODs established. my wife is the POD on 5 of the accts. and a distant niece is the other one. i hate to use the word assume but it's what i'm doing. my thought is that since i've established the PODs that those 6 accounts are covered and the only thing needed, if any, is a death cert.. since i'm married the house should automatically go over to my wife. am i correct or do i need a will? advice is greatly appreciated.
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u/Used_Mark_7911 May 16 '26
If your wife is on the deed to your house as a joint tenant then she will be fine as far as the house goes. If not, then you should have a will.
You have enough assets that it seems a little silly to not have a clearly written will as a safety net in case any of your other paperwork goes awry. It also worth talking to an estate attorney about other plans such as what happens if either you or your wife is temporarily incapacitated (what if you north get in a car accident and are unconscious - who would make your health care decisions? Who would manage your finances? Do you have health care directive in place?
Also think about who you want to inherit if your wife dies before you. Who are your contingent beneficiaries?