Why Wait? Write Your Will in 20 Minutes
Creating a will is a crucial step to ensure your wishes will be respected and your loved ones supported after you’re gone. Surprisingly, nearly 70% of adults don’t have a will. Many people think writing a will is complicated and overwhelming, but it’s actually a straightforward process and more important than you might realize.
What happens if I die without a will?
Without a will, the process of distributing your assets can become difficult and time-consuming. The court will have to appoint an administrator to handle your estate, leading to delays, expenses, and potential disagreements between loved ones. By having a will, you will streamline this process and simultaneously reduce the stress and burden for your family members.
What’s the difference between a living will and a last will and testament?
A living will and a last will are different documents. Both are designed to help you make decisions about your future while you are still able to make them.
A living will, sometimes called Advance Directives, is a document that records how you wish to be treated medically, emotionally and spiritually should you become unable to speak for yourself. Completing your living will before a crisis occurs can help ensure your end-of-life wishes are known by your healthcare providers, family and friends.
A last will and testament communicates your wishes for who will own your assets and property after your death. Your will should include a person who can manage your material possessions and distribute them according to your wishes. Keep reading to learn more about how to create a will in less than 20 minutes.
How complicated is it to create a will?
Heartlinks has made it easy and free to protect your loved ones. We partnered with FreeWill, an easy-to-use online tool that creates legally valid wills, to help you ensure your wishes are honored in less time than it takes to finish an episode of your favorite television show.
Visit www.freewill.com/heartlinks to begin. There, you can set up your last will and testament, living will, durable financial power of attorney, beneficiary plan, charitable giving and stock gifts. The step-by-step process turns these complicated terms into a simple solution.
Once signed, these are legally binding documents you can distribute to those who need to know your wishes. Or you can use this tool to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.
Can I include charitable donations in my will?
Yes, you can include a gift to a nonprofit like Heartlinks, allowing you to continue supporting causes you care about long after you are gone.
Creating a legacy gift doesn’t mean excluding your loved ones. You can designate a specific amount or a percentage of your will to a nonprofit, ensuring both your family and your trusted charities are included in your future plans. Even giving 1% will make a significant impact in the lives of those you’ve trusted it with. 1% of a 100,000 401(k) is $1,000.
We hope you’ll structure your will to provide for your loved ones first, then consider including a gift to trusted nonprofit organizations like Heartlinks.
Want to learn more about creating a lasting gift?
Every contribution, of every size, supports the mission of Heartlinks. We are immensely grateful to have you as part of this journey. If you would like to talk in-depth with Heartlinks about your plans to make a lasting gift, email Jessica Hoefer, call 509-837-1676 or send us a message.
Report Your Gift
Have you already included a gift to Heartlinks in your will? Please fill out this form to let us know. We would love to thank you for your generosity. If you’ve designated another organization to receive a portion of your estate, let them know as well, and give yourself a pat on the back for making a difference in the lives of people you may never meet. Your legacy is just beginning.
