Did you know August is National Make-A-Will Month? These days, it seems like there is a national day, week, or month for everything, and while many of them are meant to educate the general public, mobilize resources, or celebrate humanity’s many achievements, others are downright hilarious or at least force you to do a double-take to make sure what you saw or read was actually real. 

For instance, September is Suicide Prevention Month and Library Card Sign-Up Month. 

October is National Book Month, National Cookie Day, National Carry a Tune Week, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October also has National Cookie Day and National Carry a Tune Week.

There is even a National Be Kind to Lawyers Day on the second Tuesday in April. 

Please visit the National Day Calendar for more examples.

As fun as it was for our team at Leigh Hilton PLLC in Denton to remind ourselves of all the national calendar days on the horizon, we could not help but be fixated on National Make-A-Will Month. While it is difficult to tell exactly when this calendar event was established, it is clear that it is a well-established observance supported for years by law firms and other organizations as an annual reminder about the benefits of creating or updating your Last Will and Testament. 

Not Everyone Has a Will — But They Should

According to the 2024 Wills and Estate Planning Study by Caring.com, 64% of Americans say having a Will is important, yet fewer than 32% of them actually have one in place. The survey went on to state that 40% of those who do not have a Will say it is because they do not have enough assets to leave anyone. Overall, the survey found a 6% decline in estate planning and a 16% decline among lower-income Americans. Young adults aged 18-34 are the only age group that has not seen a decline in estate planning rates since 2020.

These numbers are scary, especially when you consider the ramifications of you or a loved one passing away without a Will in place. A Last Will and Testament, commonly called a Will, is a legal document that outlines your final wishes. While Wills are not the “end all, be all” of estate planning documents, they are widely viewed as a wise “first step” for anyone new to the process. Many people also prefer them for their simplicity, and when you have one in place, you maintain control over everything that happens next.

If you pass away without a Will or estate plan, you will not have documentation that explains your wishes and how they should be carried out. As a result, the court will be forced to decide how everything will be distributed. 

This includes how assets, taxes, and debts will be organized and how the remaining assets will be distributed. 

We do not know about you, but we would much rather have control over how our final wishes are carried out. That is where a Will helps!

With a Will, you can do any of the following:

• Create a specific plan for how your estate should be divided and disbursed
• Designate legal guardians for your minor children and other dependents
• Appoint an executor to carry out your wishes
• Name beneficiaries — the people who will receive your assets or money 

The good news is that you do not have to decide which document(s) make the most sense for you and your family. That is why choosing an estate planning attorney like Leigh Hilton PLLC is always the best place to start. We take the time to understand your unique situation and carefully explain every estate planning document — including a Will — and how it may benefit you.

Celebrate Make-A-Will Month by Calling Leigh Hilton PLLC Today!

When you have decided to discuss your estate planning needs for the first time, it is natural to wonder where you should start. The easy answer is to contact an estate planning attorney. After all, protecting everyone you love and everything you own is not the same as fearlessly taking on a do it yourself project around the house. It requires proper guidance from someone who can help you make informed decisions and tailor a plan that covers you and your family’s unique needs from A to Z.

Call Leigh Hilton PLLC in Denton, and we will work with you to determine the best strategy for your unique situation. Proper planning of an estate helps ensure your wishes are honored. We want to be your first call every time for any estate planning need.