Planning Ahead: Every Christian Should Have a Will

For many years I worked for large law firms writing position papers as well as taking on other assignments.

While it wasn’t my “dream job”, it was a good transition after leaving television.

I learned a lot about the legal profession during that time.

One of the most important take-home lessons (that deserves a friendly reminder) is that every adult should have a will.

Have you done your estate planning yet?

If you have kids, and still no will, what are you waiting for?

These are crucial legal documents to ensure, among other things, future care for your dependent loved ones (of any age) upon your death.

Lasting Impact: Every Christian Should Have A Will 

Everything belongs to God and it’s up to us to be good stewards of His blessings.

With that in mind, it is of vital importance for adults to plan ahead, and to have an estate plan in place.

Otherwise, depending on the laws where you live, a state court may end up deciding how your assets will be divided.

Worst case scenario: having no estate planning documents upon your death can cause a lot of disputes and anxiety within families.

In addition, the time and legal costs for the probate of your assets can be overwhelming for those you have left behind.

Having a will in place is one of the most thoughtful and responsible things you can do for your loved ones.

Having a will professionally prepared ahead of time is also a great opportunity to include your written testimony and a statement of your christian values in your documents.

Initial Estate Planning Questions

Even though it might feel overwhelming at first, a good attorney will guide you through every step of the estate planning process.

It’s okay to have a lot of questions.

Don’t know which estate planning attorney to hire?

Be careful with online reviews since these are coming from complete strangers.

It’s better to ask around for testimonials from your friends and/or coworkers.

You should know that some attorneys offer initial consults at no charge.

It’s not a given, so make sure to ask beforehand if this is important to you.

In addition, ask what you need to bring to your first appointment (if anything).

Before you go in, here are just a few initial estate planning questions to think about:

– Whom would you like to appoint as your executor?

– Which charities should receive donations in your memory?

– Where do you prefer to be buried or cremated? 

– Which pastor would you like to conduct your service?

– Any favorite songs or hymns you would like played?

– Do you have any idea of how you would like your assets handled, including your car and finances?

Of course, there are more questions, but I’m not an attorney.

He or she is there to help you!

Getting your will done is painless, and you’ll be glad you did.

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