Everyone deserves clarity and security when planning for the future — no matter your age, income, or family structure.

This guide makes estate planning simple and approachable, so you can protect loved ones and reflect your values with confidence.

WHY ESTATE PLANNING MATTERS ⇨

Most challenges families face after a loss come from a lack of planning, not the size of the estate. A simple will provides clarity and reduces stress.

A Will helps you:

• Protect loved ones. Decide how your property, personal items, and digital accounts are handled.
• Choose guardians for children or dependents. Without a will, a court decides.
• Document your wishes clearly. Including memorial preferences or special instructions.
• Prevent unnecessary conflict. Clear instructions reduce the chance of family disputes.
• Support causes you care about. Even a small percentage gift can make a lasting impact.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WILL? ⇨

When someone passes away without a will (“intestate”), state laws decide what happens. These rules may not match your wishes.

Possible outcomes:

• Unmarried partners or chosen family may be excluded. Intestate laws follow strict family hierarchies.
• More disputes, delays, and costs. Without clear instructions, families must guess your intentions.
• No way to support charitable causes. Legacy gifts must be documented in a will.

For blended families or non-traditional households, having a will is especially important.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS BASICS ⇨

Financial wellness doesn’t require perfection, just simple habits that support future stability.

Start with:

• Know your financial picture. Track expenses, savings, debts, and insurance.
• Review beneficiaries annually. Retirement accounts and insurance often bypass the will entirely.
• Build an emergency cushion. Even one month of savings helps.
• Organize important documents. Store IDs, deeds, account info, and directives in one safe place.

Estate planning is a journey. Start with a basic will and update it as life changes.

UNDERSTANDING LEGACY GIVING ⇨

Legacy gifts require no immediate financial commitment. They allow you to support people and causes you care about while still taking care of loved ones.

Common types of legacy gifts:

• Percentage gift: Leave 1–5% (or more) of your estate.
• Specific amount: Leave a set dollar amount.
• Beneficiary designation: Add a nonprofit to an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or investment account.
• Property or residual gifts: Leave real estate, vehicles, or the remainder of your estate after other gifts.

Legacy giving is always optional. It’s simply a way to reflect what matters most to you.

HOW TO GET STARTED ⇨

You can create a will in a few simple steps:

• Gather important information. Beneficiaries, guardians, assets, and personal wishes.
• Use a free online tool. FreeWill allows many people to make a basic will in about 20 minutes.
• Share your plan. Let loved ones know your intentions and where your documents are stored.
• Review every 1–2 years. Update your will after major life events.

Follow this link to get started on creating your FreeWill today.

STORIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY

“I felt overwhelmed by the idea of estate planning. Learning the basics helped me see that anyone, at any income level, can create a plan.” — Community Member

 

“Making my will was easier than I expected. My family finally has clarity, and I included a small gift to a cause I care about.” — Supporter

YOUR LIFE. YOUR CHOICES. YOUR LEGACY.

When you’re ready to take the next step—or simply want to learn more, you can explore FreeWill at your own pace.

Privacy & Your Information
Using FreeWill is private. Your personal information belongs to you. Care Resource does not receive your information from FreeWill unless you (1) include an optional charitable gift and (2) choose to notify us. FreeWill’s privacy notice explains what information their site collects (for example, name, contact details, family/beneficiary selections, and if you choose to provide it, an estimate of your estate and assets). FreeWill states they do not sell your data and they do not store Social Security numbers. For details, see FreeWill’s Help Center article on personal information and their  Privacy Notice.