Love and legal matters—an unlikely duo, but one that needs attention if you want to protect what’s important. When you’re pondering the importance of a couples will, the picture gets a tad complicated. Imagine this: You’ve spent years building a life together, one that involves assets, investments, and possibly little munchkins. Should you be opting for two separate wills or a joint one?

You and your partner might be like peanut butter and jelly—perfect together. But legally, it’s a different ball game. In essence, each of you is an individual entity in legal speak. Having two separate wills is generally the safest route. Let me explain why.

Say you both opt for a joint will. Everything seems tickety-boo, right? Wrong. A joint will essentially combines your last wishes into one document. This becomes a sticky situation if one passes away. It’s like trying to unravel spaghetti; you can’t make changes down the road without navigating a labyrinth of legal red tape.

Now, picture this scenario. You both have separate wills. There’s room for adjustments, nips and tucks without the fuss. It’s more flexible. Plus, you can address specific needs more effectively. Dad’s guitar collection goes to Johnny, while the family jewelry heads to Jenny—done and dusted.

And then there’s the surprise element. Most people think wills are dry as dust. Talking about it is often avoided like the plague. But think about this: Wouldn’t you rather have a solid plan in place than leave your loved ones in a pickle? A bit morbid, sure, but it’s the reality.

Humor me for a second. When’s the last time you agreed on everything with your partner? Could be yesterday, but could also be light years ago. Separate wills give you each the liberty to cover all bases without stepping on each other’s toes.