History

• Wills have been in use in one form or another since the Roman Empire. In the beginning, most wills include who would retain rights to land and children. They also included livestock and crops. Modern wills are overseen by legal council of some form.
  
  

Function

• Wills are intended to protect the intellectual property of the deceased. In the event of one's passing, they can designate who receives what without the need of having a representative.
  
  

Types

• There are two types of wills: living and nonliving. Nonliving wills are prepared in the event of one's death. Living wills are used for people who remain alive but lack the ability to perform cognitive tasks because of severe illness. These types of wills are commonly used with patients suffering from terminal illnesses.
  
  

Benefits

• Having a will can be a great benefit for family members. It ensures your property is distributed to the correct parties and prevents any infraction. It is also a legally binding document and cannot be overridden by another party.
  
  

Warning

• Wills should be written under the guidance of a lawyer. As it is a legally binding document, it is important to seek proper assistance.