By NATASSIA DONOHUE
August is National Make-A-Will month, and after the last two years of the pandemic, more Americans are creating wills than ever before. Yet, our partners at FreeWill note that recent surveys show almost two-thirds of people still haven’t made an estate plan.
You may be thinking that you don’t need a will, or that you don’t have enough assets to create one. The reality is that no matter where you are in life, or your economic status, there are many reasons to make sure your will and other estate plans are up-to-date. A few minutes of thoughtful time now can make a difference in the lives of your loved ones, your beloved pets, and the causes that matter to you most.
Here are some of the top reasons why you should create a will:
1) Decide who will get assets and property, and who will not. Most estates go into probate court, no matter what type of assets you have or who will succeed you. Having a will in place will save your loved ones time and resources, and provide specific instructions to ensure your wishes are met. If someone will be taking on children or pets, this can also help provide them with financial support to care for them. Plus, you can avoid claims on your wishes.
2) Give yourself peace of mind that your loved ones will be cared for after you are gone. Whether pets, underage children, or other family members, designating a guardian in your will can ensure there is no disruption in care and make those transitions easier for everyone. You can enjoy spending time with them now, without having to worry about the future. Pet owners can even designate Charleston Animal Society as future pet guardians through the Pet Safe Pet Trust program.
3) Leave a legacy to support your passion. There are many benefits to including a charitable gift in your estate plan through a bequest, or designating
an organization as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement plan, IRA, 401(k), or another qualified plan. Some planned gifts provide inherent tax benefits, there is no minimum gift required, and it will cost you nothing now. Legacy gifts to Charleston Animal Society can ensure that animals across South Carolina will have a strong advocate well into the future.
4) Using our FreeWill tool, creating a will is easy. Estate planning doesn’t have to be costly and time-consuming. Charleston Animal Society has partnered with FreeWill to offer you a resource that is so easy to use, it takes most people 20 minutes or less. You can even include funeral instructions and designate Charleston Animal Society as a beneficiary or caregiver for your pets. This tool is 100% free, and generates a legal will that is valid in all 50 states. You can get started today by visiting FreeWill.com/ CharlestonAnimalSociety.
Whether you already have an estate plan in place, or have yet to create one, planning to protect what you love is never time wasted. If you’re considering a legacy gift to help animals, we are happy to work with your attorney or estate planner to draft language to ensure your specific wishes and create your legacy of compassion. Don’t wait another day to make your will, create a plan now.
For more information and other ways to set up planned giving options, please contact Charleston Animal Society’s Associate Director of Donor Advising, Natassia Donohue, at (843) 329-1558 or email ndonohue@charlestonanimalsociety.org
