10.  You control who manages your estate.

9.  You can make specific gifts to individuals and/or charities.

8.  You can establish a trust.

7.  You can choose to disinherit an individual.

6.  Allows you to minimize potential estate taxes.

5.  Simplifies the probate process, making it shorter and less expensive.

4.  Life is unpredictable.

3.  You control the distribution of your assets.

2.  Your spouse / significant other.

1. Your children.