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SIMPLE WILL

The simple will (or "last will and testament" - it's official name) is something that has been utilized for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It is a writing which declares your desires for you, your assets, and your family upon your death. The two main reasons people write a will are because they do not want the state to decide who gets their assets after death (as would be the case without a properly drafted will in place), because they want to select who should be the guardian of their minor children if the parents are to die prematurely, and also they may desire to assist a favorite Baptist cause or ministry with a portion of their estate.
Although a will is not the most effective means of estate planning, it does do a lot. A will makes sure your property is given to the people you desire to benefit, how you want it distributed to them and it does so when you want it to go to them. This distribution can include real estate, cash, bonds, stocks and other valuable assets; as well as other items with less monetary value such as family photos, collections of knickknacks, and other items around your house. The person appointed to handle this distribution is called the "executor" or "personal representative." The executor is generally a family member or very close friend, who is highly trusted to take care of your affairs. In many cases, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama is made the executor. The other big job of a will is to establish a successor guardian for minor children, to avoid court battles after your death. Many people also use a will to establish a testamentary trust to protect money given to minor children, make requests for burial arrangements, and even set up provisions to provide for family pets.

The will is the main piece of a basic estate plan. The other documents that complete a basic estate plan include a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Affairs, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and a Living Will (or Health Care Declaration). With all this, a person has put together a well thought out plan which will provide for them during incapacity as well as after death.

Call us at 334-394-2001 or e-mail The Office of Development for more information. You may also complete the Information Request form online.