: Do I need a will if beneficiaries are designated? Beneficiaries are properly designated in brokerage accounts: spouse primary, children secondary, etc. The only major thing outside brokerage accounts is the house. And I live

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IRA Designation of Beneficiary: Most are written assuming that the beneficiaries of the IRA will outlive the owner. Will they? Will they all? Are there contingent beneficiaries designated? Are they guaranteed to outlive the owner of the IRA? If not, and if there is no will, the proceeds may be distributed according to your state's rules regarding intestancy. In your case, the state of Florida decides the disposition of your assets. Your assets may, in certain circumstances, go to the state. Is that what you intend?

Intestate Statutes: In many states, including Florida, there exist statutes that govern the disposition of property that is not subject to any will. An example of the Florida statute reads, in part:

732.107?Escheat.—
(1)?When a person dies leaving an estate without being survived by any person entitled
to a part of it, that part shall escheat to the state.

"jacknad promised me this!" Do you wish to set up a war over your remaining assets between your cousin, your ex-brother-in-law and the state of Florida; a war that will only be settled in court after thousands of dollars of attorney's fees and years of motions and continuances have taken place?

I recommend that you address all of these issues with a will.