Writing your will and advance directives

• A. To transfer ownership of property while the owner is still alive
• B. To specify how a person's assets should be distributed after their death ✓
• C. To appoint someone to make medical decisions during incapacity
• D. To establish a trust that operates during the grantor's lifetime

Why: A will is a legal document that states how a person's property and assets should be distributed upon death. Medical decisions are addressed by advance directives, and trusts are a separate estate planning tool.

• A. Beneficiary
• B. Testator
• C. Intestate ✓
• D. Executor

Why: Dying intestate means dying without a valid will. In that case, state intestacy laws determine how property is distributed, which may not match the person's wishes.

• A. To receive a share of the estate as a beneficiary
• B. To manage the estate, pay debts and taxes, and distribute assets as the will directs ✓
• C. To provide medical care instructions to healthcare providers
• D. To serve as a witness who verifies the testator's mental capacity only

Why: The executor (or personal representative) is responsible for carrying out the will: gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Executors may be beneficiaries, but that is not their defining role.

• A. A will that takes effect only after the testator has been declared legally incompetent
• B. A document stating a person's wishes about end-of-life medical treatment if they cannot communicate them ✓
• C. A will that is written and stored digitally during the person's lifetime
• D. A contract between two people to share property while both are alive

Why: A living will is an advance directive that records a person's preferences for medical treatment, such as life support, if they become unable to decide for themselves. Despite its name, it is not a traditional will for distributing property.

• A. Because wills expire automatically after ten years
• B. Because major life events such as marriage, divorce, or births can change how you want your estate distributed ✓
• C. Because courts require a new will to be filed every year
• D. Because the value of a will decreases over time without updates

Why: Life changes like marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or the death of a beneficiary can make an existing will outdated or inconsistent with your wishes. Regular reviews help ensure the document still reflects your intentions.

• A. To transfer property to heirs after death
• B. To document a person's preferences for medical care if they become unable to communicate their wishes ✓
• C. To name a guardian for minor children
• D. To establish a trust for managing assets during life

Why: An advance directive records your healthcare wishes in advance so they can guide decisions if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself. Property transfer, guardianship, and trusts are handled through other legal documents.

• A. A living trust
• B. A durable power of attorney for healthcare ✓
• C. A last will and testament
• D. A property deed

Why: A durable power of attorney for healthcare, sometimes called a healthcare proxy or healthcare agent appointment, designates a trusted person to make medical decisions when you cannot. A will takes effect only after death and does not address medical decisions.

• A. A will that takes effect while the person is still alive and can change assets
• B. A document stating which life-sustaining treatments a person would or would not want if terminally ill or permanently unconscious ✓
• C. A contract that guarantees lifetime care in a nursing facility
• D. A record of all living relatives and their contact information

Why: A living will specifies your preferences about treatments such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or resuscitation in end-of-life situations. Despite its name, it is not a will for distributing property.

• A. They become permanent and cannot be changed once signed
• B. They only apply if a doctor certifies the patient is terminally ill
• C. They can be revoked or updated at any time while the person has decision-making capacity ✓
• D. They must be filed with the probate court before taking effect

Why: As long as you are mentally competent, you can revise or revoke an advance directive at any time. Requirements vary by state or country, but updating your directive is generally straightforward and encouraged after major life changes.

• A. It is required by law before the document can be signed
• B. It ensures they understand your values and wishes so they can make decisions confidently if needed ✓
• C. It transfers legal ownership of your medical records to them
• D. It prevents doctors from ever disagreeing with family members

Why: Open conversations help your agent and family understand what matters most to you, reducing stress and conflict during emergencies. Discussion is not a legal requirement, but it greatly improves the chances that your wishes will be honored.

• A. The person who receives the largest share of the estate
• B. The person responsible for carrying out the instructions in the will, including paying debts and distributing assets ✓
• C. The doctor who certifies the cause of death
• D. The witness who confirms the will was signed properly

Why: An executor (sometimes called a personal representative) manages the estate after death: gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property according to the will. Receiving a large share is not part of the role, and witnesses and doctors have separate functions.

• A. A lawyer who manages your medical bills
• B. A person authorized to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself ✓
• C. An insurance company representative who approves treatments
• D. A hospital administrator who oversees your care plan

Why: A healthcare agent is someone you designate in an advance directive to make medical decisions on your behalf when you lack decision-making capacity. They are typically expected to follow your known wishes.

• A. Because executors are paid a fixed fee by the government
• B. Because the executor must manage finances, deadlines, and legal paperwork during a difficult time ✓
• C. Because executors must be doctors or lawyers
• D. Because the executor automatically inherits any property not mentioned in the will

Why: Estate administration involves significant responsibilities such as filing paperwork with courts, meeting deadlines, and managing assets. Choosing someone reliable helps prevent delays, disputes, and mismanagement. Executors do not need professional credentials, and they do not automatically inherit unmentioned property.

• A. Name someone who lives far away and rarely communicates with you
• B. Name only your youngest child regardless of their views
• C. Discuss your values and treatment preferences with the person and name an alternate agent in case the first is unavailable ✓
• D. Avoid telling the person they have been chosen

Why: Your healthcare agent must understand your wishes and be willing to advocate for them under pressure. Discussing your values in advance and naming a backup agent ensures decisions can still be made if your first choice is unavailable.

• A. No, the two roles are never permitted to overlap under any circumstances
• B. Yes, the roles are separate and can be filled by the same person if you choose, though some people prefer different individuals ✓
• C. Only if both roles are held by a licensed attorney
• D. Only if the person is a close blood relative

Why: The executor and healthcare agent roles are legally separate, and one person can hold both. Many people choose different people because the roles require different skills and may be needed at different times, but there is no legal prohibition on combining them.

• A. To divide your property among your heirs after death
• B. To record your wishes about medical treatment in case you become unable to communicate them yourself ✓
• C. To name a guardian for your minor children
• D. To transfer ownership of your bank accounts at death

Why: An advance directive documents your preferences for medical care, such as life-sustaining treatment, so that your wishes can be followed if you lose the capacity to make or communicate decisions.

• A. A doctor who manages your long-term care in a facility
• B. A person you appoint to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself ✓
• C. A written list of medications you are currently taking
• D. A court order that determines whether you are mentally competent

Why: A healthcare proxy is an agent you designate in advance to make medical decisions for you when you lack decision-making capacity. Choosing someone who knows your values and is willing to follow your wishes is an important part of the process.

• A. A living trust
• B. A durable power of attorney for finances
• C. A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order ✓
• D. A last will and testament

Why: A DNR order is a medical order, usually completed with a physician, that instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if breathing or heartbeat stops. It is distinct from a will, which governs property distribution.

• A. Wills can only be executed after death, so they have no effect on living people's medical decisions ✓
• B. Wills must be notarized by a physician to be valid
• C. Wills can only address financial matters, and they cannot be used for healthcare
• D. Medical treatment decisions are prohibited from being written down

Why: A will takes effect only at death and governs the distribution of property. To guide medical treatment during life, you need an advance directive, healthcare proxy, or similar document that is active while you are incapacitated.

• A. Keep the original document locked in a safe deposit box that only you can access
• B. Share copies with your healthcare proxy, family, and doctors, and revisit the document periodically ✓
• C. Submit it to a court once a year for approval
• D. Give it only to your attorney and never discuss it with anyone else

Why: Advance directives only work if the people and providers who need them can find and access them. Sharing copies and reviewing the document as your health or wishes change helps ensure your instructions are followed when needed.

• A. It is required by law to be filed with the court every year
• B. It helps ensure your wishes are carried out and reduces confusion for your executor and family ✓
• C. It automatically reduces the amount of estate tax you will owe
• D. It replaces the need for a will entirely

Why: An organized inventory of assets and beneficiaries helps your executor locate property and follow your wishes. It is not a legal requirement to file annually, it does not reduce taxes by itself, and it does not replace a will.

• A. It is distributed according to the instructions in your will, regardless of the form
• B. It passes to the named beneficiary on the form, generally outside of probate ✓
• C. It always goes to your spouse, regardless of the form
• D. It is divided equally among your heirs under state intestacy law

Why: Assets with beneficiary designations, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, usually pass directly to the named beneficiary outside of probate. The will generally does not control these assets, which is why designations should be reviewed regularly.

• A. The will was written by hand rather than typed
• B. The person forgot to update a beneficiary form after a divorce or birth of a child ✓
• C. The will was notarized
• D. The will names an executor who lives in another state

Why: Beneficiary forms often remain unchanged after major life events like divorce, remarriage, or the birth of children. Because these forms override the will for the assets they cover, outdated designations can send money to unintended people.

• A. A beneficiary who receives a share only if the primary beneficiary has died or cannot inherit ✓
• B. A beneficiary who must pay estate taxes before receiving any assets
• C. A charity named in the will to receive leftover funds
• D. A person who manages assets on behalf of a minor child

Why: A contingent (or secondary) beneficiary inherits only if the primary beneficiary dies before the owner or otherwise cannot receive the asset. Naming contingent beneficiaries helps prevent assets from ending up in probate.

• A. Only items worth more than $1 million
• B. Digital assets such as online accounts, cryptocurrency, and passwords, with instructions for access ✓
• C. Only real estate located in your home state
• D. Only assets you plan to sell before death

Why: Digital assets are easy to overlook and can be hard for heirs to access without clear instructions. Listing them separately, along with how to reach them securely, helps prevent valuable property from being lost. Asset lists should cover all property, not just high-value or in-state items.

• A. Disinterested witnesses are required to notarize the will in every jurisdiction.
• B. Having an interested witness can, in some jurisdictions, invalidate or limit that person's gift, and it can invite challenges to the will's validity.
• C. Disinterested witnesses are the only people legally allowed to store the original will.
• D. Interested witnesses must pay a higher filing fee when the will is probated.

• A. A notary verifies the testator's identity and willingness to sign, while a will's validity depends on the formalities required by the jurisdiction, which often include witnesses.
• B. A notarized signature replaces the need for any witnesses in all states.
• C. A will must be notarized to be valid, but witnesses are optional in every jurisdiction.
• D. Notaries and witnesses perform identical legal functions and are interchangeable everywhere.

• A. Taped inside a book in your home so it is easy for family to find.
• B. In a fireproof home safe with a copy given to your executor, or with a trusted attorney or the probate court where permitted.
• C. Only as a scanned PDF saved on your computer.
• D. In the safe deposit box held jointly with a beneficiary, to ensure access after death.

• A. Handwritten changes are always automatically revoked by law.
• B. Changes made after signing may be invalid unless they follow the same formalities, and crossing out or altering text can create confusion or a challenge about the testator's intent.
• C. Handwritten changes are only permitted if they are typed.
• D. Any change to a signed will makes the entire document void.

• A. Providers are legally required to keep the original document in their files.
• B. A directive does little good if the people who need to act on it cannot find or access it when a medical decision arises.
• C. Advance directives only take effect once they are filed with the county clerk.
• D. Sharing the document automatically transfers your medical decision-making authority to the provider.

• A. Only when you write them for the first time
• B. Periodically, such as every few years, and after major life events ✓
• C. Only when you are diagnosed with a serious illness
• D. Only when a family member asks you to update them

Why: Wills and advance directives should be reviewed regularly, typically every few years, and after major life changes like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a move to a new state. Regular review keeps your documents accurate and legally valid.

• A. Changing your favorite restaurant
• B. Getting married or divorced ✓
• C. Buying a new car
• D. Switching your streaming service subscription

Why: Marriage and divorce can significantly change how your assets should be distributed and who should serve as beneficiaries or executor. Divorce may also affect beneficiary designations and may automatically revoke certain provisions in some jurisdictions, so an update is important.

• A. Because health changes automatically cancel your will
• B. Because your medical preferences and choice of healthcare proxy may change based on your new situation ✓
• C. Because insurance companies require it every year
• D. Because advance directives expire after one year regardless of content

Why: A new diagnosis or change in health can alter your treatment preferences, such as your views on life-sustaining measures. It may also make you reconsider who you trust to make decisions on your behalf as your healthcare proxy.

• A. Keep the old version and simply write the changes in the margins
• B. Create a formal codicil or new will, sign it properly, and notify your executor and key family members ✓
• C. Email the changes to a friend and consider it finished
• D. Post the changes on social media so everyone knows

Why: Changes should be made formally, usually through a new will or a codicil (an amendment), and signed and witnessed according to your jurisdiction's requirements. Informing your executor and key family members helps ensure your current wishes are known and followed.

• A. Keep them all together so they can be compared later
• B. Destroy or clearly mark outdated copies as revoked to avoid confusion ✓
• C. Give the old copies to the newest beneficiary
• D. Store them in the same folder as the new versions without labeling

Why: Outdated documents can cause confusion or disputes about which version is valid. Destroying old copies or clearly marking them as revoked helps ensure that only your current wishes are carried out.