Even Barbie Thinks About Dying: She Needs a Will!

The original Barbie doll, an American icon created by Ruth Handler, was meant to inspire children and make young girls dream about what they could become in the future. Director Greta Gerwig's Barbie can also be a role model for adults because she thinks about dying! Spoilers ahead.

The new Barbie movie is a huge box office success. This Warner Bros. picture about Barbie and Ken's adventure to the real world is packed with big Hollywood names like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate Mckinnon, Will Ferrell, Rhea Perlman, Noah Baumbach, Ariana Greenblatt, and Dua Lipa.

In fantastical Barbie land, Margot Robbie's Barbie thinks about more than the stereotypical Barbie doll sold by Mattel. She's a weird barbie plagued by real-life concerns like thoughts of death. If she cares about who receives her Barbie dream house and everything in it, then she needs to think about dying. Death is part of life, and if you ignore it, you risk losing control of where your assets go after your death.

Why You and Barbie Need a Will

A last will and testament fulfills your intentions for your assets. Wills also protect your loved ones in a variety of ways. If you die without a will, you give up your chance to make choices about your property. If you fail to make a will, your family will be left to deal with the legal and personal consequences. Barbie wouldn't want this for her sister, Skipper, and you don't want this for your family either.

Control Your Assets

Your will is your opportunity to determine where you want your property to go when you die. Undoubtedly, Barbie cares about more than just Ken. She wants to decide who receives her dream house, her convertible, and all of her holiday dresses upon her death. Certainly, you also have items of either monetary or sentimental value that you would like to see go to a specific person after you die. A will is how you go about controlling where your assets go after you die.

Protect Your Loved Ones

After you die your loved ones will go through a legal proceeding associated with your property known as probate. A will speeds this process along and cuts down on court costs. Having a will also tells your family and friends what you want to happen after your death. They care about the things that mattered to you, like your wedding ring or your favorite rocking chair. Providing your instructions about who gets what can be a comfort to your loved ones because they know that your wishes are being fulfilled.

You can also protect your minor children by appointing a guardian in your will. In the event of your death, you're able to name someone you trust to fill your shoes and care for your children. You have the opportunity to choose a guardian that shares your values and beliefs if you and your child's other parent die. Otherwise, it's possible a court will appoint a guardian based on their own criteria. The court will look to your family and close friends when selecting a guardian but may not make the same choice that you would make.

Tap into your Kenergy and prepare your will today with FindLaw's Legal Forms and Services!

Related Resources

• Making a Will (FindLaw's Legal Forms & Services)
• What Taylor Swift Gets Wrong About Inheritance and Estate Planning in "Anti-Hero" (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• Wills: An Overview (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)