National Make-a-Will Month: Why Estate Planning Matters at Every Age

Highlights

• National Make-a-Will Month is the perfect reminder to review your estate plans.
• A thoughtfully prepared estate plan can help protect the people you love.
• Major life events often signal it's time to review important documents.
• Small planning steps today can ease future stress for those closest to you.
• Estate planning isn't just for older adults, it's valuable at every stage of life.

Every August, National Make-a-Will Month serves as a reminder to create or review this important legal document.

While many people assume estate planning is something to think about later in life, preparing for the future is about much more than deciding who inherits your belongings. It's about expressing your wishes, protecting your loved ones, and providing clear guidance during a difficult time.

Despite the importance of estate planning, a 2025 Caring.com survey found that just 24% of Americans have a will, and procrastination remains one of the biggest reasons people put it off.

Whether you're creating your first will or reviewing one you've had for years, National Make-a-Will Month is an opportunity to make sure your plans still reflect your life and priorities. Here are five important things everyone should know.

1. There’s more to estate planning than creating a will.

A will is an essential part of an estate plan, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Many people also benefit from having documents such as a financial power of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and up-to-date beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and insurance policies.

Today's estate planning may also include digital assets, including online financial accounts, photos stored in the cloud, and other important electronic records. Taking time to organize this information can make it much easier for others to locate what they need when the time comes.

An experienced estate attorney can help determine which documents are appropriate for your circumstances and ensure they continue to reflect your wishes.

2. Life changes should prompt a review.

Creating these documents is an important first step, but they shouldn't be filed away and forgotten. As life changes, your estate plan should evolve as well.

Marriage, divorce, retirement, or the birth of a child or grandchild are all good reasons to revisit your plans. Moving to another state, large financial changes, or the loss of a loved one may also warrant a review.

Even if nothing significant has changed, taking time to review your estate plan every few years ensures it still reflects your current circumstances and intentions.

3. Small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow.

Estate planning isn't just about paperwork. It's also about making sure the right people can access the information they'll need.

Let someone you trust know where your documents are stored. Review beneficiary designations from time to time and make sure important financial information is easy to locate. If appropriate, keep a secure record of digital accounts so they can be accessed when needed.

A little preparation can save time and help ensure your wishes are carried out as intended.

4. Planning ahead can ease your family's burden.

Losing someone you love is never easy. Having important decisions documented in advance can help those closest to you spend less time searching for answers and more time supporting one another.

Thoughtful preparation can help reduce uncertainty and provide clear guidance when important decisions need to be made. It allows those carrying out your wishes to focus less on paperwork and more on honoring your life.

5. Providing clear guidance is one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave behind.

It's never too early or too late to get started.

Whether you're just beginning your career, raising a family, enjoying retirement, or updating plans you've had for years, estate planning is worthwhile at every stage of life.

National Make-a-Will Month is the perfect opportunity to review your existing estate plan or take the first step toward creating one. A thoughtful review today can provide greater peace of mind for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is National Make-a-Will Month?
National Make-a-Will Month is observed each August to encourage people to create or review their estate planning documents and ensure they reflect their current wishes.

2. Why is estate planning important even if I'm not an older adult?
Unexpected events can happen at any age. Estate planning helps provide guidance for your loved ones and ensures your wishes are clearly documented.

3. How often should I review my estate planning documents?
Legal professionals recommend reviewing your plans after major life events or every few years to make sure they remain accurate and up to date.

4. What other documents should I have besides a will?
Depending on your circumstances, an estate plan may also include a financial power of attorney, healthcare directives, beneficiary designations, and information about digital assets.

5. What life events should prompt an update?
Marriage, divorce, retirement, the birth of a child or grandchild, significant financial changes, moving to another state, or the death of a beneficiary are all good reasons to review your plans.

6. Where should important estate planning documents be kept?
Store them in a secure location and let a trusted family member or personal representative know where they can be found if needed.

National Make-a-Will Month is also a good time to think about funeral preplanning. Creating or updating your estate plan is an important step, but it's only one part of preparing for the future. Preplanning your funeral arrangements allows you to document your preferences, ease future burdens, and provide a meaningful gift to those who matter most.

If you'd like to learn more about funeral preplanning and how it can complement your estate planning efforts, the compassionate professionals at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services are here to help. Please reach out to us anytime.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For 30 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information about our funeral, cremation, memorial, repast, and grief counseling services, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com.