• Wills are generally associated with the elderly, and about half of adult Americans have a basic will. But it is important for every adult to make a will, and to keep it updated, so that in the event tragedy strikes your wishes will be followed. It is easy to put off making a will, and it may seem morbid, but creating a legal will could save your friends and family a lot of time, money, and worry if the unexpected occurs.
  
  

Assets

• Everyone has assets, and most people would like to decide who gets their possessions in the event of their death. This gives any adult a reason to make a will. If you do not have a will that decrees to whom your possessions and money go, the probate court will use a pre-determined legal formula to decide who gets what and how much. However, it is important to remember to keep your will updated, so that assets are not misdirected.
  
  

Children

• Twenty-five percent of people with wills say that having a child was their motivation to create a will, according to Lawyers.com. Each partner in a marriage should make a will, and while the assets in each will may be different, the wills should mirror one another when it comes to who you would like to have custody of your children if both parents' die at once. Without a will, the court system will decide who should be the guardian of your children, which could lead to much in-fighting among friends and relatives. Though the court system does not have to follow your wishes, there must be just cause for its decision. A will can also make financial provisions for your children, such as specifying money for education.
  
  

Government Taxes

• When you die, it is inevitable that both the federal and state government will tax your estate. Laws differ state-to-state, but if you make a will your estate can be taxed less. There are ways to direct that your money and assets be distributed in order to minimize government taxation, such as granting gifts to individuals or associations, or by putting money in trust funds.