Ensure your loved ones are protected and define your legacy.

August is National Make-a-Will Month. This observance encourages individuals and families to take a critical step in their financial and personal planning: creating a first will or updating an existing will.

More than half of Americans don’t have a will. Do you?

People postpone creating a will — or updating their existing will — for many reasons. Perhaps you’re thinking “I don’t have an estate” or “I’m too young to need a will” or “I’ve had a will for years, and it’s fine.” 

In fact, a will may be the most important document you create. It addresses important questions, such as:

• Who will manage your financial affairs if you are incapacitated?
• Who will be the guardian of your minor children?
• Who will act in the best interests of your family, pets, and friends?
• Who will ensure how and to whom your assets will be distributed?
• And who will take care of other important details in the way you wish for them to be handled?

If you already have a will, does it reflect your current circumstances and wishes?

Now is the time to put your plan in place

An up-to-date will can provide almost everyone — regardless of age, wealth, or family circumstances — with the peace of mind that comes from having a plan in place that answers these important questions.

Make-a-Will Month serves as a helpful reminder of the benefits of having a will:

• Protecting the people you love: A will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Without a will, state laws will dictate who receives what from your estate.
• Naming a guardian for minor children: If you have minor children, your will can designate their guardians, ensuring they are cared for by someone you know and trust.
• Avoiding disputes: Clearly outlining your wishes in a will can prevent potential conflicts among loved ones and beneficiaries during a difficult time.

Getting started

Creating or updating a will might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some steps to get you started:

• Take inventory: Everyone has an estate — it’s just the things that we own. Make a list of your personal property, real estate, investments, retirement and bank accounts, and any other assets you own. 
• Consider your wishes: What do you want to accomplish through your will? Think about the people and causes you want to provide for — and how you want your personal property and assets distributed. 
• Consult a professional: An estate planning attorney can help you draft a will that reflects your wishes, accounts for your personal situation, and complies with state laws.  If you already have a will, an attorney can help you be sure your will is up to date. 
• Research educational webinars and online will-making resources: While consulting with a professional is strongly recommended, webinars can provide educational information about wills and estate planning. Online will-making resources are also available and can allow you to create a basic will at low cost.
• This month, commit to taking one step toward creating or updating your will.

Your legacy can be an agent of beneficial change

As Audubon Canyon Ranch looks to the future, we are energized and inspired to do our best work toward a more resilient world — a world where the diversity of life thrives, and nature benefits all.

Conservation is hard work, it goes slow, and it can at times feel too big to tackle. Despite the immense challenges ahead, we have a plan for resilience that will benefit our world today — and tomorrow.

Whether you aim to create your first will or update your existing will, we hope you will consider including your favorite nonprofit organizations, such as Audubon Canyon Ranch, in your will. With your commitment, your legacy will be an agent of beneficial change for nature, people, and science for generations to come.

For more information, please contact Director of Philanthropy Jen Newman at (415) 868-9244 Ext. 119 or [email protected].