Personal Financial Planning 13th Edition by Lawrence Gitman,Michael Joehnk,Randy Billingsley

Exercise 24

David and Cheryl Allen are in their mid-30s and have two children, ages 8 and 5. They have combined annual income of $95,000 and own a house in joint tenancy with a market value of $310,000, on which they have a mortgage of $250,000. David has $100,000 in group term life insurance and an individual universal life policy for $150,000. However, the Allens haven't prepared their wills. David plans to draw one up soon, but the couple thinks that Cheryl doesn't need one because the house is jointly owned. As their financial planner, explain why it's important for both David and Cheryl to draft wills as soon as possible.