Many people know they need to make a will, but it never becomes priority. Here are five common estate planning pitfalls that keep people from including a charitable gift in their will, and reasons to overcome them!

1. Creating a will can seem scary, complicated, and expensive.

Many people avoid it simply because they don’t know where to start. In fact, nearly half of all Americans over the age of 55 do not have a will, and we know that the number of people with an up-to-date will or a will that includes a planned gift to a nonprofit is even smaller. But tech-enabled tools are now available to simplify and guide you through the process. Check out FreeWill to get started!

2. But I don’t have “an estate!”

You don’t need to own a castle to need an estate plan. It’s important to have a plan for the things that matter to you—like who might take care of a pet, or who you want to get your favorite painting or family heirloom.

3. I’m too young to make a will.

Actually, whether you’re 18 or 80, a will is an incredible expression of love for the people and causes you care about, and you don’t want to be stuck without one.

4. Can this even help the organizations I love?

Yes! Creating your legacy with an organization is a great way to ensure the causes you care about are taken care of for generations to come. Your planned gift is your commitment—without paying anything today.

The truth is, creating your will is an essential step that everyone needs to take to ensure that your loved ones know what you wanted, and to save them from the stress of dealing with the unknown. And, if you decide to include a planned gift to a cause you care about, your will can also be an incredibly powerful vehicle for ensuring the causes you supported in life continue to get the resources they need.

5. I’m not sure how to get started.

GlobalGiving is proud to offer an online tool that can help you with both: an online will-writing tool through FreeWill.

Creating a will online is valid in all 50 states, takes 20 minutes to review, gives you an opportunity to support organizations you care about, and it is free.

GlobalGiving believes that, like giving, creating a will should not include unneeded complexity or confusion, and it should never stand in the way of creating a positive impact.

Take 20 minutes to show up for your loved ones and for the causes that you care about most in the world, for years to come. Get started on your adding a charitable gift through your will today.

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