Make a Will, Make a Way

Wills may not be a very popular topic, but it's one that has been on my mind ever since a resident recently expressed his thoughts on the subject. The resident shared his concern for other residents within our communities who maybe — out of fear — have procrastinated and not left clear instructions with loved ones about how to handle their estate when they pass away.

Surveys report that less than half of U.S. adults have a Last Will and Testament, a legal document that ensures our wishes are carried out after our passing: who gets our personal belongings, our estate and finances, and, most importantly, who will serve as guardians to raise our minor children.

Thinking about these crucial issues and decisions should prompt most people, including our dedicated associates, to have a legal Will in place. These documents can be kept securely in a safe deposit box at a bank, in a home safe, or even just in a metal filing cabinet at home. These days, electronic copies of a Will can — and should — also be stored in a file online in the "cloud," where it can be accessed and updated as needed.

So why don't more people have a Will? Oddly, some have a superstitious feeling or belief that by making a Will, they're speeding up the time of their death. This bizarre idea almost seems funny, but it's too serious a topic to laugh about. We're all destined to die one day and planning ahead by making a Will certainly does not shorten our lives. If you look at it a different way, having a Will can actually lengthen your "life," by allowing your wishes to be followed after you are gone.

Another reason people don't make a Will is that they believe it would be costly. However, unless you have a large or complicated estate with lots of assets, a simple Will can be done online for very little cost. For example, the website U.S. Legal Forms (www.uslegalforms.com) offers a variety of Wills for every state. The cost is only between $8 and $15.

Using an attorney will cost you more, naturally, but using an online Will is perfectly fine for most people — just be sure to have your completed Will properly witnessed and signed (notarized).

One final reason why many people don't make a Will is because they feel they don't "have enough stuff" or "aren't worth enough money" to need a Will. No matter how modest your financial resources and personal property might seem, having a Will in place will help to avoid squabbling among family and friends over who gets what. And if you are blessed with children, a Will is critical to ensure that your precious ones are cared for by people YOU have chosen.

Instead of loved ones guessing about what you would have wanted them to have (or not have), a Will helps to make things clear. Whether you are one of our valued associates or one of our beloved residents, I encourage you to take the time to complete a Will — and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.