A Document of Importance

One of the most important documents you can own is a will. While taking the step of planning a will is easy to postpone, it is a step that assures your assets will be distributed according to your wishes and not the law governed by the state in which you reside.

Think of planning a will as a process to improve and stabilize the financial security of yourself and your family. Many people mistakenly believe that wills are only for the rich. Nothing is further from the truth. If you are married or single, if you have children and relatives, you need a will. If you have charitable causes you want to help perpetuate, you need a will. If you own a home or have a bank account, stocks or any other kind of property, you need a will. Having your will prepared by an attorney and executed according to state guidelines is essential.

Several steps are necessary for a will to be legal:

• It should be in writing.
• It should be signed by the person creating the will.
• It should be acknowledged to be the will of the person who signs it.
• It should be dated.

	A. Kristine Johnson

A Final Note
If you are considering a charitable gift, think of the advantages of designing it by will. During your lifetime, a bequest is private, changeable at any time and does not deprive you of the use of assets or income. A will, of course, is revocable and does not become irrevocable until you die.

Kristine Johnson, the MBL’s Director of Special Gifts and Planned Giving is available to explain the various ways one can make a charitable bequest. Kristine’s office is in Candle House and she can be contacted at 508-289-7766 or via e-mail at kjohnson@mbl.edu.