Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - August 2018

August is national Make a Will month.  What comes to mind when you hear the term "estate planning?"  If you're like many people, you know it has something to do with having a will. You’d also be correct if you said it involves making certain other types of arrangements affecting what happens once your life has ended. A good estate plan goes further and addresses many aspects of your current situation, as well as how to thrive in the years to come. Consider this definition:

Caring for yourself and your assets while you are living, and providing for the transfer of assets to other persons and entities – both during your life and afterwards.

By planning, you make things easier for your family. If something happens to you, it will already be a very difficult time for your family and other loved ones. How wonderful it will be if they know exactly what you want to have happen and have the means at hand to follow your wishes. Consider the planning you do now to be your final future gift to your loved ones.

While estate planning can entail some difficult choices, and means confronting uncomfortable issues, it does provide a sense of relief and peace of mind when it is done. You’ll know that you have done your best to plan and provide for yourself and for loved ones, as well as for the causes you’ve cared about during your lifetime. There is great satisfaction in knowing what your legacy on earth will be.

For a free workbook, simply visit www.redcrosslegacy.org/workbook to download your copy of “Touching the Future Guide and Workbook for Will Planning and Charitable Giving”