Spotlight on Giving
Make-a-Will Month: A Good Time to Get Started
Do you have a will? According to Trust & Will’s 2026 Estate Planning Report, 56% of adults in the U.S. have no estate planning documents at all. Writing or updating a will is easy to put off. Instead of looking at it as a daunting task, though, it helps to see a will or living trust as an opportunity to protect your loved ones and carry your values forward.
A will puts your wishes into writing. It clearly states your decisions, which can ease a difficult time for the people you love and provide for them in the future. For example, you can choose:
- Who will get certain amounts or specific property (like giving a treasured antique to a particular family member)
- Who you want to carry out your instructions
- Who you’d like to serve as a guardian for any minor children
Your will can also reflect what matters most to you. Along with protecting family and honoring friends, you may want to support our important mission and other causes you care about. A gift in your will is one way to further our work well beyond your lifetime.
To balance priorities, it can be helpful to distribute your assets as percentages (which remain steady as the value of your estate fluctuates over time). You can even make a gift to us of whatever remains in your estate after all other distributions and expenses are paid.
No matter the size of your estate, a gift in your will makes a powerful impact on our work. It also offers flexibility. You retain full use and control of your assets during your lifetime. It’s also easy to adjust your plans and gifts to reflect your current wishes if your goals or circumstances change. Ensure you regularly review your will and estate plans, especially after major life changes.
Have you been putting off writing or reviewing your will? If so, what better time to get started than right now? Make-a-Will Month was designed to provide a gentle nudge to move forward, caring for those you love and supporting our work for years to come.
Our mission. Your impact.
If you are exploring ways to make a difference today or in the future, we can help.
