Plan Today. Protect Tomorrow. Leave a Legacy.
Creating a will is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give to the people and causes you care about.
During Make-A-Will Month, Iona encourages everyone to take the important step of creating, or updating, a will. A will isn’t just about distributing your belongings. It’s about ensuring your wishes are honored, protecting your loved ones, and leaving a lasting legacy that reflects your values.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting one you made years ago, taking the time to plan today can provide peace of mind for you and those you love.
Why Is Having a Will Important?
A will gives you the opportunity to make your own decisions rather than leaving those decisions to the courts.
With a will, you can:
- Decide how your financial assets an property will be distributed
- Provide clear instructions for personal belongings that have special meaning
- Help reduce stress and uncertainty for your family
- Express your values, generosity, and the legacy you hope to leave behind
Your will becomes your voice when you are no longer here. It tells the story of what mattered most to you and how you want to be remembered.
Estate Planning: More Than Just a Will
A comprehensive estate plan includes several important legal documents that work together to protect you and your loved ones.
Financial Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. This authority applies only during your lifetime.
Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy)
Allows you to designate someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate your wishes.
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
Documents your preferences for life-sustaining medical care and helps ensure your healthcare providers understand your wishes.
Your Will
Directs how your assets, property, and personal belongings should be distributed after your death and allows you to leave gifts to family, friends, and charitable organizations.
Together, these documents help ensure your wishes are known and respected throughout every stage of life
How to Get Started
Creating a will doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Taking it one step at a time can make the process manageable.
Step 1: Consider Your Wishes
Think about:
- Who should receive your financial assets and property.
- Any personal belongings with sentimental value.
- Who you would like to serve as your executor.
- The people and organizations that have made a difference in your life.
- The legacy you hope to leave behind.
Step 2: Work with a Qualified Professional
An experienced estate planning attorney can help ensure your documents reflect your wishes and comply with state law. They can also answer questions about your unique circumstances.
Finding Legal Assistance
If you’re ready to create or update your will, these organizations can help you find qualified legal assistance:
- Legal Counsel for the Elderly
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Your local bar association’s lawyer referral service
- Community legal services organizations
Please note that costs for creating a will vary depending on your needs and the complexity of your estate.
Your Legacy Can Make a Difference
For many people, a will is not only a way to care for family—it is also an opportunity to support the causes that have shaped their lives.
A charitable gift in your will allows you to continue making an impact for generations to come while still providing for the people you love.
If Iona has been meaningful to you or your family, we hope you will consider including Iona in your estate plans. A planned gift helps ensure that older adults and caregivers throughout our community continue to receive nutritious meals, caregiver support, social connection, and essential services for years to come.
No matter the size of your gift, your generosity becomes part of your lasting legacy.
To learn more about including Iona in your estate plans, please contact Iona’s Chief Development Officer, Stephanie Hubbard at (202) 895-9441 or via email at shubbard@iona.org.
Leave a Legacy That Reflects Your Values
Your will is more than a legal document.
It is an opportunity to celebrate your life, care for the people you love, and support the causes that matter most to you.
This Make-A-Will Month, take the first step toward protecting your future and creating a legacy of generosity, compassion, and purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make a Will Month is an opportunity to encourage individuals and families to create or update their wills. It’s a reminder that having an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored.
A will allows you to:
- Decide how your assets and property will be distributed.
- Name an executor to carry out your wishes.
- Help reduce stress and uncertainty for your loved ones.
- Leave gifts to family, friends, and charitable organizations.
- Create a legacy that reflects your values.
Without a valid will, state law determines how your estate is distributed.
No. Everyone can benefit from having a will.
A will isn’t just about money. It allows you to make decisions about personal belongings, family heirlooms, charitable gifts, and other matters that are important to you.
Review your will every three to five years or after major life events, such as:
- Marriage or divorce
- The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- The death of a loved one
- Purchasing or selling property
- Significant changes to your financial situation
A will takes effect after your death and directs how your estate is handled.
A financial power of attorney and medical power of attorney are effective only while you are living and unable to make decisions for yourself.
These documents serve different purposes, and most estate plans include all of them.
Many people also choose to prepare:
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy)
- Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), if appropriate
- Advance Health Care Directive or Living Will (depending on your state)
An estate planning attorney can help determine which documents are right for you.
While some people use online tools, working with an experienced estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure your documents accurately reflect your wishes and comply with state law.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and the services you need. Many attorneys offer flat-fee estate planning packages.
If cost is a concern, you may wish to explore legal aid organizations or attorney referral services.
You may wish to contact:
- Legal Counsel for the Elderly
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Your local bar association
- Community legal services organizations
These organizations can help connect you with qualified estate planning professionals.
Yes. Many supporters choose to leave a charitable gift to Iona as part of their estate plan.
A gift in your will helps ensure that older adults and caregivers continue to receive meals, caregiver support, wellness programs, and other essential services for years to come.
Your attorney can include Iona in your will using simple bequest language.
Not necessarily. Many supporters choose to leave a charitable gift to Iona as part of their estate plan.
A gift in your will helps ensure that older adults and caregivers continue to receive meals, caregiver support, wellness programs, and other essential services for years to come.
Your attorney can include Iona in your will using simple bequest language.
That’s wonderful! Make a Will Month is also a great time to review your estate plan and ensure it still reflects your wishes.
If you’d like to include Iona in your plans, your attorney can usually add a simple amendment (called a codicil) or update your existing will.
No. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or financial advisor before making estate planning decisions.