Have you considered how your assets could continue to make an impact after your lifetime? It can be an uncomfortable question, but it is also an important one, especially for those who want their values to benefit future generations. While providing for loved ones is often the first priority, many people also choose to support the causes and organizations that have been meaningful to them during their lifetime. A will is one way to make those wishes clear and ensure your legacy reflects both the people and the causes that matter to you most.

If you pass away in Indiana without a will, state law determines how your assets are distributed. Those provisions generally direct assets to a spouse, children, parents, or extended family. If there are no living relatives, the state of Indiana becomes the beneficiary. Without a will, decisions about your estate may not reflect the people, organizations, or causes you would have chosen to support.

Take a moment to think about the organizations that have shaped your life and the needs you may want to support in the future. A legacy gift can extend that support beyond your lifetime, helping ensure that the organizations and causes you care about continue serving others for years to come.

Locally, organizations such as Woodlawn Health, Fulton County Animal Center, Fulton County Historical Society, and Habitat for Humanity, along with local cancer patients, students continuing their education, and many others benefit each year from charitable gifts included in wills. Donors who shared their time, talent, and treasure during their lifetimes continue to support our community by including a charitable gift in their will. These gifts not only provide financial support but also establish a legacy that shares the donor’s values for generations to come.

In addition to extending your support for the causes you care about, a charitable gift in your will may offer tax benefits for your estate. Because every situation is different, it is important to work with financial planners and attorneys who can help shape an estate plan that reflects your wishes and supports your overall goals.

If you do not have a will, now is a good time to begin the conversation. With guidance from an attorney, creating an estate plan can help ensure your loved ones are provided for, your wishes are honored, and the organizations and causes that matter to you continue strengthening our community for generations to come.