Death, the law and you Where there's a will, there's a lawyer: probate law demystified In probate law, the legal language can be very confusing. Probate has its own terminology that, though essential for you to understand, can be mind-boggling in its complexity. Once you grasp the legal language, it's not that difficult. What if there is no will? What happens if your loved one dies without leaving a will? This is where the law of intestate succession comes in. The legal heirs will be determined by a probate court and the estate will then be distributed to those heirs. Making a living will A living will takes your most personal decisions out of the hands of others. It gives you the freedom to choose for yourself how to best end your life and the chance to maintain your own values regarding the quality of life. Your guide to making and understanding a will The very kindest thing you can do for all those who love you is to make your passing easier by leaving a will. Read this page for an example of how wills are written and what they generally contain, and how to go about making a will. How to avoid probate court causing family problems After going through the death of a loved one, the last thing you want is to struggle with your family. Unless you talk about the estate beforehand, the probate arena can become a stage on which family issues may play out. I'm an executor of a will - what do I have to do? If someone close to you has died and you have been named as the executor of that person's will, yours is a very special obligation. You have been entrusted to carry out the final wishes of your loved one regarding his or her estate. Sponsored links Further sources of information You may find our other articles in the Grief Library section helpful too. Visit our Amazon store to find books on wills and probate.