In Your Interest – by Valerie Rumbough

For many years, I was told that January was Make Your Will Month. Recently, however, I have heard that it is now September. Did something change?

Valerie Rumbough

Actually, every month should be Make Your Will Month if you don’t have one. Why is having a will so important? For starters, it allows you to determine who gets your “stuff.” Most people would rather make that decision themselves than to allow the state to make it for them. It also allows you to take care of other items that may be pertinent to your financial and other affairs, such as who will take care of your children or a disabled relative.

When you have a will, you make it easier for those left behind to manage your affairs. Finally, it allows you the opportunity to make a final statement of your faith in Jesus Christ. You can leave a legacy of faith through a bequest to your church or other favorite charity.

If you haven’t taken care of this important item, please do so as soon as practical. You can get help easily from the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina or your favorite attorney.

There are will-writing programs on the Internet, but sometimes they only cover the basics. Many times you will discover that your estate planning isn’t as basic as you thought, and those programs may not ask the right questions. If you go this route, at least have an attorney review your will for accuracy.

What may cost you a little now may be well worth it for your family later, especially when you consider the cost of hiring an attorney at your death to help resolve unanswered questions.

Remember: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). Don’t let your inheritance be “turned over to strangers” (Lamentations 5:2).

Rumbough, CPA, CFP, is chief operations officer with the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina. Contact her at 800-723-7242. In accordance with IRS Circular 230, any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.