By Noah Yeagley and Attorney Timothy Bupp

August, the month of warm weather, vacations, and sunshine, is also notable as National Make-A-Will Month. While August keeps us busy with sun and fun, we should take some time to remember how important a Will is, how easy and straightforward the process of preparing a Will can be, and how beneficial a Will can be for our loved ones and our own peace of mind.  Let’s take a moment to celebrate the important role that a Will plays in your estate plan and the many protections and benefits a good Will can provide to you, your family, and the ones you love. 

1.         A Will is essential for everyone.

A Will provides essential guidance to protect our family and loved ones. However, about two of every three Americans have not yet put this vital document into place. Without a Will, your assets will still go somewhere; Pennsylvania, like most states, has a law of intestacy that directs where our assets will be distributed if we pass away without a Will. But of course, without a Will, our assets may not go where we want them to go. A good Will can ensure that your intentions are met. 

A well-planned Will can include a trust to provide protection for a minor or disabled beneficiary, make charitable provisions in accord with your inclinations, and assure that any taxes on your estate can be eliminated to the extent possible and directed as you desire. There is no substitute for taking the time to protect your family and your estate by working with an experienced attorney to prepare a sturdy Will and other estate documents. 

2.      A Will is straightforward to prepare. 

While a Will provides vast protection to us and our family, it does not have to require a vast amount of effort to prepare.  Good estate planning can often be prepared in one or two straightforward meetings with a practiced attorney who can answer your questions and provide sound advice.  All too often, people procrastinate or put off this important planning until a crisis occurs or until it’s too late.  Some people also try to prepare a “do-it-yourself” Will on the internet, which often creates more problems than it solves.  The time and cost invested in preparing a professional, well-crafted Will and other documents are modest, and the return provided with protection and peace of mind is well worth the process. 

3.    A Will provides peace of mind. 

There is great satisfaction that comes from knowing that your affairs are in order and your family and loved ones will be protected and cared for after you’re no longer there to help.  Providing such protection is really the most important thing we can do in our lives.  Knowing that our spouse and children will be safe and secure, that our children’s education and maintenance will be provided for, and that appropriate guardians and trustees will be able to provide good guidance and support to our loved ones will provide great peace of mind to us now, and will provide that same peace of mind to our loved ones after we’re gone.  Truly, there are few actions in life that are more important and more satisfying than assuring that your family is safe through the preparation of a good sturdy Will.

So this August, in between the sun and fun, please take the time to ensure your Will is in good form.  If you don’t have a Will, please take the time to contact an attorney to put one in place.  If you do have a Will but haven’t reviewed it in some time, please take a moment to review it and consider meeting with an attorney to ensure that the Will is up to date and can still protect your family as you desire.  Our experienced estate planning attorneys at CGA Law Firm will happily help you with this important matter.

Noah Yeagley is a third-year law student at the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and a summer associate at CGA Law Firm.  Attorney Tim Bupp chairs the estate law practice group at CGA Law Firm and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA).

Timothy Bupp

Estate Law Chair, Shareholder

Timothy J. Bupp is a Shareholder with CGA Law Firm and chairs the Firm’s Estate Law Section. He provides clients with specialized advice in Estate Planning, Business and tax planning, Real Estate transactions and related matters. Tim assists his clients by utilizing the knowledge he gained from his advanced degrees in business administration, business taxation, and law, as well as his certifications in estate planning and employee benefits taxation.

Read Tim’s Bio Page in full HERE.

Noah C. Yeagley

Summer Associate

Noah joins CGA’s Summer Associate program as a third-year law student at Penn State Dickinson. This summer, he has gained experience in various areas, such as estate planning, corporate law, municipal law, tax, and more. He aspires to practice corporate law, tax, estate planning, intellectual property, and litigation.

Learn more about our Summer Associate program here.