Updating Our Will: Part One — A Not-So-Scary Experience

National Make-a-Will Month just finished, and my husband, Bret, and I decided to finally tackle a dust-covered “to-do” list item: updating our will. As part of this process, we also wanted to explore ways to give a lasting gift to our beloved Mason County community.

Now, I won’t lie – the thought of revisiting our will (last updated when our now-teenagers were toddlers) felt a bit daunting. But, inspired by my work with the Community Foundation, we knew it was time to ensure our wishes reflected our deep connection to this place we’ve called home for 18 years.

First step? I called the office of a local lawyer and scheduled a meeting. Easy. Well, then came the paperwork. Full disclosure: my husband and I are experts at procrastinating, especially when forms are involved. Finding uninterrupted time together, without the kids raiding the fridge or their friends popping in, was like a quest for the Holy Grail.

But the real challenge lay in answering the estate planning questions. We hadn’t pondered some of these topics in ages. Some were downright sobering, and others sparked thoughtful discussions about guardians for our kids and end-of-life wishes. It was, as we would later be reminded, a gift we were giving our loved ones by addressing these tough questions now.

We dug up old records, chatted over wine, and even managed a few jokes at the expense of certain relatives (sorry, Aunt Shawn!). The whole process turned into a sort of date night … almost.

After about a half hour of wrestling with paperwork, we were ready for our meeting. But that’s a story for another day!

In the meantime … Maybe you’d like to tackle this important “to-do” item as well! We just recognized National Make-A-Will Month, and the Community Foundation for Mason County is making the process accessible for the entire community.

The Foundation, in partnership with FreeWill, is offering a free, user-friendly online tool that can help you create a basic will in just 20 minutes.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing will, FreeWill is a valuable resource. It’s a great way to gather your thoughts and important information, even if you plan to consult an attorney later on.

This tool is simple, convenient, and a powerful way to protect your future and the future of our community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take care of your loved ones and leave a lasting legacy. I encourage you to head to our partner site at the link below and make (or update!) your will today.

Happy planning, and stay tuned for part two of this series!

Until next time,

Tara Autrey