Many legal issues have unfolded since the sudden death of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith. Among the issues a Florida Court has dealt with is the matter of who should take custody of Smith’s body. Frank D. Edens, CEO of USLegal, says such controversies can be avoided if people engage in active pre-planning, including putting decisions about burial arrangements in a will.

“A last will and testament allows people to put in writing their preferences regarding how they want their property to be distributed upon their death, and who should take custody of any minor children. It can also be used to give instructions regarding final arrangements. People can specify in a will the exact location and cemetery where they want to be buried or if they prefer to be cremated,” said Edens.

According to Edens, having a valid will in place can help ease the confusion and reduce conflicts among relatives and others faced with having to make decisions after the death of a loved one. Nevertheless, Edens notes that 70% of people die without a will.

In an attempt to increase public awareness of the importance of legal planning, USLegalForms.com recently launched the LegalLifeTM Resource Center with free online guides, check lists, and planning tools. The LegalLifeTM Resource Center is located at http://www.uslegalforms.com/legallife/.

USLegalForms.com is also announcing the release of its Estate Planning and End of Life Issues Guide. This guide provides an overview of the legal documents that are most useful and necessary for addressing end of life events. For more information, see http://www.uslegalforms.com/us/US-006HB.htm.