How Make-A-Will Month Can Work for You and Your Community
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of making a will and ensuring your final wishes are clearly documented. While contemplating the end of life can be uncomfortable, creating a will is an empowering and thoughtful act that will bring peace of mind for you and your loved ones. However, did you know that a will can also be a powerful tool you can use to make a lasting positive impact on your community?
Let’s explore why you should make a will, how to create one, and how your will can do good in your community even after you pass away.
Why It’s Important to Create a Will
Creating a will is an essential part of estate planning. If you don’t create a living will, your state will decide how your assets will be distributed upon your death, which may not align with your wishes. Dying intestate (without a will) can lead to prolonged legal processes and potential disputes among surviving family members.
In short, having a legally valid will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your desires and that your loved ones and favorite causes are provided for in the manner you intend — without placing additional stress on the people you care about.
How to Make a Will
Creating a will might seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process that can be accomplished in a few key steps. Laws governing wills vary by state, so it’s important to consult your state’s stipulations. Various resources are available to assist you, including platforms that can help you create a will online step by step. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
• Consult a professional. While you can create a will on your own, consulting with an attorney can ensure its legally sound and comprehensive.
• List your assets. Include all your properties, financial accounts, and personal possessions.
• Choose beneficiaries. Decide who will receive your assets. These beneficiaries could be family members, friends, or charitable organizations.
• Appoint a personal representative. Choose the person who will be responsible for ensuring your will is carried out as written.
• Select a guardian for children who are minors. If you’re a parent of young children, choose someone you trust to care for them.
• Specify your wishes. Specify any other instructions in detail, such as funeral arrangements or care for pets.
• Sign the will with witnesses present. Make sure your will is signed in the presence of witnesses, following your state’s legal requirements.
Passion Projects: How Your Will Can Do Good After You’re Gone
Beyond providing for your loved ones, your will can serve as a powerful tool for leaving a legacy that your entire community can benefit from, allowing you to support organizations and causes that are important to you, such as animal welfare.
Charitable Bequests
Creating an estate plan with charitable giving can ensure your legacy as a caring individual lives on. Estate plan gifts can provide significant tax benefits for your estate while making a meaningful impact.
Adding a charitable bequest in will documents means you’re setting aside a donation to a nonprofit organization, trust, or foundation. This can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or particular assets, such as stocks, IRA donations, donor-advised funds, vehicles, and even cryptocurrency. Bequests are a simple yet impactful way to create a charitable legacy and support the missions of organizations you care about.
Examples of Impactful Giving
Which nonprofit or nonprofits should receive your estate gift will depend on which causes you care about most — and which organizations best serve those causes. Choosing local or regional nonprofits can be especially meaningful, as these are pillars of your community and likely don’t have as robust of a donor base as national organizations do. Here are some examples of how your will can have a positive impact on the needs you care most about:
• Educational scholarships. Fund a local nonprofit’s or college’s scholarships for students who face significant financial barriers to higher education.
• Community projects. Support local initiatives, including renovations of parks, community centers, or public art installations.
• Animal welfare. Plan a gift to a local or regional pet shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center. You can help both companion and wild animals in one gift by choosing an organization such as Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which offers essential services for cats, dogs, and wildlife.
National Make-A-Will Month is an ideal time to reflect on the legacy you want to leave behind for your family and friends and the causes you’re passionate about. By creating a will, you ensure your wishes are respected, your loved ones are cared for, and your community benefits from your generosity. Don’t wait: Create or update your will today!
Leave a Legacy of Caring for Animals With PAWS
PAWS is people helping cats, dogs, and wild animals go home and thrive — whether home is the family room or the forest. We do this by rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action for animals.
Since 1967, PAWS has united more than 150,000 cats and dogs with loving families; cared for more than 160,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals; and made the world a better place for countless others through outreach, education, and advocacy.
Our on-site rehabilitation and veterinary teams provide expert care for more than 170 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles each year. PAWS is only one of a few facilities in Washington state permitted to rehabilitate American black bears and marine mammals, primarily harbor seals.
However, we can’t do it without you. Please consider supporting us by making an estate gift to PAWS!