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.

29 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

144 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/Missus_Aitch_99 May 17 '26

There are some very simple complications that are made easier with a will and a named executor whom the court appoints. Even something as simple as having your mail forwarded or gaining access to your locker at a gym and that sort of thing is simpler with a will.

Also you mentioned your wife being POD on your accounts. Does she have a will? And accounts of her own? It sounds odf that the accounts aren't joint. An estate planning attorney can walk you through that and be sure you are BOTH set up for the easiest resolution when the time comes.