An Appeal to Plan Ahead

When a military deployment takes place, service personnel rush to get their estate plans completed or updated. Attorneys are brought in to speed up the process and to make sure no one goes off to war without first setting his or her house in order. Having a valid will in place becomes mighty important in the face of such danger.

Some people are “awakened” to the importance of estate planning when they prepare to vacation in a foreign land. Others may be prodded by a closer-to-home vacation that entails risk, such as a river trip down the Grand Canyon. Still others may be goaded to visit their estate planning professional prior to their first flying lesson or other newly acquired hobby. Attorneys will tell you that “will motivators” also include a death in the family, serious injury or illness, or some other sobering crisis.

If you were to quiz every person you know over age 50 about the importance of having a valid will in place, you would likely find 100 percent of them in favor of such prudent planning. Everyone, it seems, agrees with the wisdom of having a current will, yet many people die without a will, and many others depart with a will that is out-of-date or invalid. Unless we are faced with a compelling reason to act, it is simply easier to wait until a more convenient day. For many, that day never comes.

However, the benefits are too compelling to not initiate the estate planning process. Besides assisting loved ones with the orderly disposition of your estate, a will allows you to avoid taxes as you support family and possibly make a special gift to the Lord.

Don’t wait to brush against danger to “do the right thing.” Do it now by getting your estate planning affairs in order. Contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor by calling 800-827-5482. He can send you a helpful booklet, assist with the process, and direct you to an estate planning attorney in your area.