What Your Will Reveals About You
Your will says something about you. First, it says that you care about your loved ones. You want to make it easier for them by taking care of legal matters relating to the transfer of your estate. You want your affairs handled smoothly and without undue inconvenience to those who will be experiencing grief.
Second, having a will means that you sought to conserve your estate. You can reduce taxes and probate costs by designating what things will go where and who will be responsible for handling the details. The cost savings resulting from a carefully constructed estate plan means that more of your estate can go to family members and the charities of your choice.
Third, your will provides insight into your lifetime involvements and concerns. Bequests to family members tell of your love and concern for their welfare. And bequests to organizations speak volumes about your values.
For example, when you include Richmond Jewish Foundation in your will, you reveal that caring for others is worthwhile and you affirm your belief in the mission of RJF which is to serve as the endowment and planned giving branch of our community.
Finally, when you include RJF in your will, you tell us at RJF that you want us to continue to fulfill the mission of RJF in this world through your instructions by creating a fund that carries out your philanthropic intent. You reveal your vision for our future! You encourage us to be good stewards of the new resources you place in our hands.
Your will says other things as well about your interests and values and commitments. And because it says so much, you are wise to think it through carefully.
If having a will says so many good things about you, what does the absence of a will reveal?
We at RJF want you to experience the good feelings of having a well-considered and well-crafted will (or other comprehensive estate planning document). We encourage you to take care of this very important matter. And to help you, we offer a secure online interactive “wills guide” which can be accessed at here.
We are also available if you want to talk with us about finding an advisor or about how to leave a bequest to RJF to support the causes you care most about.
