Are you part of the 24% of Americans who have a will?
While August is officially National Make a Will Month, thinking about your legacy and how you want your loved ones to be supported after your lifetime can happen at any time of year.
Maybe you just haven’t gotten around to it. Or you think you don’t have enough assets to leave.
Maybe you think it’s just too expensive to create one.
No matter the reasons you don’t have a will, there are some pretty good reasons to have one.
It can reduce family stress, confusion and conflict as well as unnecessary probate expenses. It can make it more likely that your wishes will be honored. Afterall, who’s going to get your coin collection or take care of your pet(s)?
Reviewing your will (if you have one) or creating one (if you don’t) could be an especially helpful activity if you’re going through a significant life event, like marriage, divorce, or starting a family.
You can also name a favorite nonprofit charity (like WGA) as a beneficiary. Below is sample will language to review with your attorney or professional advisor if you would like to support our mission and youth development efforts by bequest.
OUTRIGHT GIFT: I give and bequeath to The William George Agency for Children’s Services, a non-profit located in Freeville, New York (EIN: 13-1857994), the sum of ($____) to be used for its general purposes (or for a specific purpose if desired).
RESIDUAL BEQUEST: All the rest (or a percentage), residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give, devise, and bequeath to The William George Agency for Children’s Services, a non-profit located in Freeville, New York (EIN: 13-1857994), to be used for its general purposes.
CONTINGENT BEQUEST: I give and bequeath to (name of person) the sum of ($____) in the event that they shall survive me. Should said (name of person) predecease me, I give and bequeath said sum to The William George Agency for Children’s Services, a non-profit located in Freeville, New York (EIN: 13-1857994) to be used for its general purposes.
Whatever you do, spending some time reflecting on the legacy you want to leave is time well spent.
Thank you for considering WGA as a beneficiary in your will. A gift by bequest could be used to enrich the experiences young people and their families have on our campus, improve our facilities, and support the animals in our Equine program or down at our Farm (like Tommy Hillpigger and Portia Woodpig). Please consult your attorney or professional advisor when making your estate plans to discuss your specific wishes and unique circumstances.