Why Should I Make a Will? It's too much trouble!
Why should you make a will? Simply put, this kind of planning is done for others, those you care about and the causes you support. Without some kind of planning, the direction of your assets and possessions when you pass will simply be decided by someone else. And if you die “intestate,” that is without a will, then it will be the state you live in who makes these decisions for you. They have a plan for how to do this, even if you haven’t had time to make one.
The following is a tale of two people:
John passed away with an estate valued at $100,000. He had planned ahead and established a trust from which he gave his entire estate to two spiritual groups that he had supported during his lifetime. When he died, a number of his friends were disappointed with this distribution, saying that he had promised them amounts of money or possessions. Unfortunately, John had not put any of these personal gifts in writing in his trust, so they weren’t able to be honored.
Paul, who was a recluse, lived extremely simply and invested wisely over many years. His estate was valued at over $2 million. He loved the Catholic Church and had thought about giving to one of their charities. When he died, the form to include these charities was found in his home, unsigned, near where he died. His fortune went instead to relatives who didn’t even know he existed until they received his money.
Whatever you put legally in writing in a will or other planning, is usually the only thing that will be able to be honored after your death. If you are “thinking about” doing your will, please do it now! Pass on to those you care about and the causes you support the gifts that can be both financially and emotionally meaningful to them.
Sample Language To include the Ananda Janaka Foundation in your will or other planning.
For further information, contact Parvati Hansen at 530-478-7695 or parvati@anandajanakafoundation.org
We are always happy to hear from you.
In divine friendship,
Parvati
