What is the primary purpose of a will?

The primary purpose of a will is to outline how assets will be distributed after death. This legal document serves as a formal declaration of an individual's wishes regarding the management and allocation of their estate upon their passing. It provides guidance on who will inherit specific assets, including property, money, and personal belongings, ensuring that the deceased’s intentions are honored.

A will can help prevent disputes among heirs by clearly stating the intentions of the deceased, which can ease the emotional burden on family members during a challenging time. By delineating the distribution of assets, a will also facilitates the probate process, which is the legal procedure for administering a deceased person's estate.

While it may have implications for tax liabilities or debt management, those are not its primary purposes. Tax strategies and debt reduction are generally addressed through other financial planning mechanisms and legal instruments, not specifically through a will. The designation of a financial advisor might be part of a broader estate planning strategy but is not a function of the will itself.