RMCNews with Mary Lynn Green – Denver, Colorado … As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to tackle those essential tasks we often push off until a later time if ever. High on that list should be creating a will and developing an estate plan. Though it may not be the most exciting resolution, ensuring your loved ones are cared for, your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and your favorite church ministry is remembered is a responsibility that cannot be overstated, especially if you have young dependents. Start 2025 with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs are in order.

Surprisingly, a large portion of Americans delay or avoid estate planning entirely. According to a 2023 study, 67% of adults in the U.S. do not have a will. For younger adults, this figure rises even higher, with 81% of individuals aged 18-34 and 66% of those aged 35-54 lacking this critical document. Even among seniors, traditionally more prepared, 45% are without a will.¹ These numbers highlight the widespread hesitation surrounding estate planning, despite its importance.

One of the primary reasons people delay creating a will is discomfort with the topic. Conversations about mortality and financial distribution can feel overwhelming or unnecessary, particularly for younger individuals. Others procrastinate due to a misconception that estate planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, creating a will is a vital step for anyone with dependents, property, or specific wishes for their legacy. By taking the time to plan, you can ease the burden on your loved ones, providing clarity and avoiding unnecessary legal complications during an already challenging time.

“There is a saying that says, ‘If you don’t have an estate plan, the government has one for you.’ It is true there are laws that indicate how an estate is to be distributed when a person dies without a will (intestate). Likely, some of these laws do align with your wishes and some do not. Having a will helps each of us to fulfill the directive to be good stewards and take care of all that we have been given,” guides Mary Lynn Green, director of Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Planned Giving and Trust Services.

If you’re ready to take the first steps toward estate planning, here are some practical tips to help you get started:

  • Take Inventory: List your assets, including real estate, vehicles, savings accounts, and personal possessions.
  • Consider Beneficiaries: Decide who or which charitable cause will receive your assets and ensure your choices reflect your current wishes.
  • Appoint Key Roles: Select an personal representative to carry out your wishes and guardians for any underage children.
  • Consult an Expert: Reach out to RMC Planned Giving and Trust Services to help guide you through this process.

“Our office has resources and partnerships with other Adventist professionals in the trust and estate, planned giving, and fiduciary services arena,” continues Green. “A financial planner or accountant can help you determine how to best structure your gifts. Sometimes gifts of non-cash assets such as property, stocks, life insurance, annuities, valuable jewelry, digital currency, and other assets may provide tax advantages and ways to increase the value of the gift to fulfill goals for what you want to give to loved ones and to charities.”

Do not delay any longer and reduce the risk of leaving your family unprepared and your wishes unmet. For members of the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, there’s no need to worry about costs—wills and estate planning services are offered free of charge. This invaluable resource makes it easier than ever to ensure your legacy is protected.

As we embrace this new year, make it a priority to secure your family’s future no matter what your age or stage in life. By creating a will and estate plan today, you can take a significant step toward being a good steward of the blessings God has entrusted to you.

Green leaves a parting message: “Let us know how our team can help. It is a pleasure for us to be here to serve you and to help you accomplish your stewardship and ministry goals. Let’s all get planning!”

Contact Alex Gamble, RMC Planned Giving and Trust Services department assistant, at [email protected] or by phone at (303) 282-3640 to get started today.

—Initial article draft created by ChatGPT, revised and edited by Liz Kirkland, RMC Communication Director, and Mary Lynn Green, RMC Planned Giving and Trust Services. Photo by Bich Tran with Pexels.

 


¹ LegalZoom. (2023). Estate planning statistics. Retrieved from https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/estate-planning-statistics