It is ironic that in an hour when communication could be so meaningful, if not critical, to family, friends and loved ones, many Americans impose an almost unnatural silence. It is the silence imposed by the absence of a valid and updated last will and testament. And this is one occasion when silence is far from golden.
Filling the silence
As is often the case when someone chooses not to speak, another voice fills the void. This is what happens when someone dies without a valid will: the state government steps in with a kind of one-size-fits-all document that will be used to determine the final disposition of all issues related to your estate—with-out consideration of your wishes.
In other words, a judge will name an individual to serve as executor and make every decision with respect to your estate. This person and the courts will decide who will serve as guardian of any minor children, how specific assets will be divided among family and the final distribution of all
assets.
Apart from the way we almost always think of a will—as a legal document outlining asset distribu- tion—the last will and testament can carry a
message of hope and specific wishes for those left behind. And the absence of this final communication may be the thing most devastating of all to family and loved ones.
Your philanthropic intent
In addition to articulating specific wishes for family, the will has always been a place for the charitable voice to be heard. Even a superficial glance around our communities testifies to the lasting impact of bequests to organizations like St. Joseph’s Hospital and its Bar row Neurological Institute.
Actually creating a last will and testament need not be complicated or costly. In fact, in most states you can actually create a valid will in your own handwriting. Of course, the more detailed your actual will—the more you would like to tailor the document to deal with specific personal wishes and objectives—the more essential it becomes to consult a lawyer familiar with the creation of a will. Visiting with someone familiar with the best options and the basic stumbling blocks in the process can prove to be both emotionally efficient and cost effective.
Professionals in our Office of Planned Giving can answer any questions you might have, help you iden- tify options that will best fulfill your objectives and even provide you sample language to assist your own professional advisors. Of course, there is never any cost or obligation for
the information and service we pro- vide, and it is in no way designed to replace the counsel of your personal advisors.
To learn more, call St. Joseph’s Foundation/Barrow Neurological Foundation at 602-406-3041. We’re open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or email me at Mike.Birgen@chw.edu. I would love to talk to you! ■
CHW Arizona
Barrow Neurological Foundation
350 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013-4496
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