Candice;
A will is about more than just possessions, there are other factors to consider.
When my FIL passed away in 2012, without a will because everything was jointly owned with my MIL, she just left everything the way it was, names on bills etc. When MIL passes away, my husband was her executor and we had so much trouble trying to cancel the Hydro bill from her house.
Him to Hydro "we've sold the house, please cancel the service"
Hydro "your name isn't on the bill"
DH "No, that gentlemen passed away"
Hydro " are you his executor"
DH " no, he didn't have an executor here is his death certificate"
Hydro "who's been paying the bill for a year"
DH " his late wife, who has also passed away, here is her death certificate and will"
Hydro " she isn't listed on the bill either, we can't help you"
Fast forward 8 months, DH passes away with no will and I'm still receiving bills in the name of "The estate of...." 3 deaths later and can't get them to stop. I called and got the same run around, at which point, I'm seriously annoyed, so I started sending the bills back "deceased"
It actually went to collections (and was dismissed easily once I told them the story but still a hassle I didn't need) because no one was named to deal with FIL's bills.
Everyone else has pretty much covered what I think you need, guardian, power of attorney, medical power of attorney (not the same person as power of attorney so your money and health are separate).
This stuff all sucks but is necessary.
