August is “National Make a Will Month” — an important reminder to make sure your wishes and the legacy you’ve worked to build are protected for the future.

As an American Legion Auxiliary member, you understand the importance of caring for others, honoring those who came before you, and making a difference for the generations that follow. Creating a will is one important way to extend that care to the people and causes that matter most to you.

Without a valid will, state law may determine how certain assets are distributed. Taking the time to put your wishes in writing allows you to have a say in those important decisions and can provide valuable clarity for your loved ones.


Why having a will matters

A will is about more than deciding who receives your belongings. It gives you the opportunity to clearly document your wishes and make important decisions while they are yours to make.

With a will, you can specify how you would like your property and personal belongings distributed, identify the people or organizations you want to remember, and name someone you trust to carry out your wishes. Having those decisions documented can also provide much-needed clarity for your family and help reduce uncertainty during an already difficult time.

A will can be especially important when certain possessions have sentimental rather than financial value. Family heirlooms, photographs, jewelry, military memorabilia, and other meaningful items may carry generations of memories. Including your wishes for these items can help ensure they are passed along as you intended.

A will should change as your life does

Creating a will is an important first step, but it shouldn’t necessarily be the last time you think about it. Even if you already have one, National Make a Will Month is a good opportunity to review it and ask yourself whether it still reflects your life today.

Consider reviewing your will after significant life changes, such as a marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or grandchild, the loss of a loved one, a move to another state, or a meaningful change in your property or finances. It’s also helpful to periodically review the people you’ve named to carry out your wishes and make sure those choices still make sense.

As you prepare to create or review your will, think beyond your financial assets. Consider the people who are important to you, possessions with special meaning, and any organizations or causes you may want to include in your plans. Gathering this information ahead of time can also make your conversation with an attorney more productive.

Ultimately, having an up-to-date will can help protect the people you love, make your wishes known, and provide peace of mind knowing you’ve taken the time to plan ahead.

Your Legal Resources plan attorney can help

You don’t have to navigate this process on your own. As an ALA member benefit, you have access to Legal Resources and a plan attorney who can help you create or review your will as part of your legal plan benefits.

Connect here with your Legal Resources plan attorney to get started.