Three ways to care for neighbors in need in your will (no matter what stage of life you are in)

A will is one of the most consequential documents you'll ever create because it spells out, in clear and legal terms, how you would like the resources you've spent your life building and stewarding to be used long into the future, creating a better life for those you love and care about.

And yet, only 33 percent of Americans report having a will that describes how they would like their money and estate to be handled. (Source) According to the 2022 Wills and Estate Planning Survey, some adults have simply put it off, while others believe they don't yet need a will to protect their assets.

Making a will is important for many reasons, but especially if you'd like your will to help end hunger, eradicate poverty and reach families in need around the world. In honor of National Make a Will Month, here are three ways your will can help do just that, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Yes, it's just that simple. Before a gift in your will can help provide water, food, emergency assistance (or any life-saving possibility) you must first have a will. If you don't have a will, the state will decide how your assets will be distributed.

Even though a will determines what happens to your assets after you pass away, it is very much a living document that changes as your life and circumstances change. For adults who are just starting to build assets and start a family, making a will is important for many reasons, but especially so that you can establish a guardian for your children if anything should happen to you and direct resources for their care.

Making a will can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, we've partnered with FreeWill to provide you an online resource to create a legal will for free.

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about leaving gifts in their wills is that they cannot do so because they are not rich. Especially when you are just starting out, it may not seem like you have much to give.

But (pun intended), where there's a will, there's a way! By designating a share of your estate (usually a fixed percentage), you can include neighbors in need around the world in your will, even as you are getting established. And the good news is that by giving this way, your gift grows with you.

Our Guide to Leaving a Gift in Your Will can help you write the language in your will that designates a share of your estate to help neighbors in need.

If you've already made a gift in your will to reach neighbors in need around the world through Lutheran World Relief, you can help them right now…by telling us about it. Why?

You are a careful steward of the resources in which God has entrusted you, so you understand that knowing about future resources helps to make critical decisions in the here and now. Letting us know about a gift in your will helps neighbors around the world get the help they need – now and long into the future.

Now is the perfect time to take the next step toward having a will that cares for your loved ones and neighbors in need around the world. Here are three easy action steps:

1. If you don't have a will, make one. We've partnered with FreeWill to provide you a way to create a will online in as little as 20 minutes at no cost to you.
2. If you've remembered neighbors in need in your will through a gift to Lutheran World Relief, let us know. Please contact Lee Grant, our Planned Giving Manager, at lgrant@lwr.org.
3. And if you're still deciding, let us help. Request our free Guide to Leaving a Gift in Your Will to help you discern your wishes and begin the process of creating a will that truly reflects your intentions and values.