Importance of Making and Updating Your Will
- jondab
- Aug 15
- 4 min read
August is National Make a Will Month, an important reminder to prioritize one of the most important tasks of long-term planning. While some people are uncomfortable thinking about this task, having a Will makes sure that your wishes are clearly outlined, that your loved ones are protected, and that your legacy is protected.
Even though most everyone knows that this is an important document to have in their files, most American adults don’t have a Will. A 2025 Will and Estate Planning Study showed that the number of Americans with a Will (24% in 2025) has steadily declined from 33% of respondents in 2022. The American Heart Association in 2025 states that currently only one-third of Americans have a Will.
I had my first Will when I was in my 20’s. I was a military wife preparing to go with my husband on an overseas assignment. The military set us both up for our first passports and Wills and I have not been without either since that time. My first Will talked about children, should I have them. I was pregnant at the time with my first son. Having said that I had my first Will in my 20’s, for the next 20 years I just sort of let it sit. At about age 45 and on I have been much better at keeping my Will updated.
If not for the military requirement I am pretty sure I would not have had a Will that young. But why do people who are older still not have a Will?
Some people just don’t like the idea of thinking about death. And some people feel that they really don’t have that many assets so it’s not worth their time. Some feel that it is just too complicated, overwhelming, and time consuming, so they just keep putting it off. And some feel that it is an expensive process that is just not necessary – let the state take care of things.
But, in actuality, a Will can save your family a lot of money and heartache after you die.
Here are three important reasons to have a Will:
· It gives you the control over your assets. This includes both your finances and your personal effects. Without a Will the state determines how your estate is divided. A Will also lets you name an executor that you trust to carry out your wishes.
· It reduces family conflict. This is especially important if there have been remarriages and blended families.
· It allows you to leave meaningful gifts. These gifts may not only be for certain people but also for charities or groups that you support and care about.
Just writing out what you want and calling it a Will may very well not be legally binding.
Here are some key components for having a legally binding Will.
· It must be written. A verbal Will is not binding.
· It has to declare intent. It has to have a statement like, “This is my final Will and testament.”
· You have to have mental capacity. This means that you understand the act of making a Will and that you know what your assets are. You also understand the natural beneficiaries of your estate.
· You have to sign and date the Will.
· You have to include witnesses. This should be two qualified witnesses that won’t benefit from the Will.
· It has to comply with State Laws. Each state is different so run a check. And the laws change from time to time so check about every five years.
The Will does not have to be notarized but having a notary will greatly simplify the probate process.
If you have a Will, congratulations! But, what if like me in my first 20 years, it just sits there and is never reviewed?
Every five years or:
· Having first child
· Thinking about divorce or have gotten divorced
· Your child gets married or has children
· Your beneficiary develops credit or substance abuse problems
· Your executors or beneficiaries die
· Your young family member becomes an adult
· New legislation is passed
· You come into a windfall of money
· You’ve lost your will
· You buy property in another country or move to another country
· Your family and friends become enemies
Making a Will is more than just a legal hoop to jump through. It’s an act of love for people and causes that are important to you.
This National Make a Will Month, consider making or updating your will as a gift to those who will be left behind when you die. Your Will may be for the future but your piece of mind for having this task finished will be in the present.
If you are ready to work organizing your paperwork or on any other specific organizing project and want some tips, encouragement, or accountability join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space For You virtual clutter support group. You could complete a small project or set up an organizing plan during the call. The group will offer ideas, support, and gentle accountability for working on developing plans or projects.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.
You raise important issues. I've written about essential estate documents for years, and have thought about this decline you describe. Unlike a Power of Attorney or healthcare proxy, I suspect there's a decreasing number of people with wills because an increasing number of people are single/never married at a later age. In 2018, a record-high of 35% of adults aged 25-50 had never been married, vs. just 9% in 1970. In 2010, 20% of adults over 40 were never-marrieds; just 15 years later, it's already 25%. People who have reached their 40s, 50s, or 60s without having ever married or had children have a far lesser concern about who will end up with their stuff. At almost 60, I struggl…
My husband and I each created our wills when we were newly married and living in Asia. We updated it when we moved back to the United States and have continued to update our wills evey 10 years or so.
It's surprising to read that so few people undertake this task. I'm wondering if there needs to be more written about what happens when you die without a will.
This is an important reminder. I'm surprised by the statistics that only 24% of people have a Will. I get it, though. People don't like to think about death or the consequences of NOT having a will. I've heard so many stories of the stress it causes family members when their loved one leaves those legal issues unresolved.
We've updated our wills over the years, but not every five years. This is something to consider, especially given the parameters you set with certain events triggering the need for an update.
That first will was the hardest when we had to think about who would take care of our kids if something happened to both of us. But now, since going…
Yes, I'm happy to say that my husband and I went through this whole estate planning process a couple of years ago. It felt like a bit ordeal, but I have a lot of peace knowing we did it and updated everything. You are making me think that my girls need to do this, though. Sometimes we forget when we are young... excellent advice here!