Let’s face it. Most people don’t like to discuss estate planning or think about what happens after they’re gone. However, creating a will is essential to your future philanthropic intentions and ensuring those wishes are honored. The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and its affiliates—Allendale Community Foundation and Coopersville Area Community Foundation—have some great ways to help you and your family leave a meaningful legacy. With August being “Make a Will” month, right now is the perfect time to create a will, and here are five (good) reasons.
1. Your wishes are met.
Making a will allows you to distribute assets however you wish. Without this critical document, the state takes control of your life’s work, and you lose your voice entirely in how your possessions are handled.
Imagine spending decades building a business, collecting meaningful heirlooms, or saving for your children’s future, only to have state laws—not your personal values—determine where everything goes. When you die intestate (without a will), Michigan laws follow a rigid formula that may not reflect your relationships or priorities.
With a will, you maintain control over your life’s work to ensure your vintage car collection goes to your car-enthusiast nephew, your grandmother’s wedding ring reaches your daughter, and that your retirement savings supports the people and causes you care about most.
2. Your loved ones are cared for by someone you trust.
With a will, you can name guardians for minor children and designate caretakers for dependent adults, elderly parents, or even beloved pets. Without this foresight, the court makes these deeply personal decisions without knowing your family’s unique needs or personal preferences.
Consider the weight of this decision: Who shares your parenting philosophy? Who has the patience for your child with special needs? Who understands your family’s cultural traditions and values? When you name guardians in your will, you’re not just picking caretakers—you’re choosing the people who will shape your loved ones’ futures and carry forward your family’s legacy.
The same thoughtfulness applies to other dependents in your life. Perhaps your elderly mother has lived with you for years, and you want to ensure she continues receiving care from your sister versus distant relatives placing her in a facility. Maybe you have a beloved dog whose anxiety requires an understanding owner. Your will lets you make these loving provisions clear, ensuring dependents receive care from people who understand their needs and will honor the relationships you’ve built.
3. You eliminate stress and conflict.
When you have a will, not only can you live stress-free knowing you have things in order for your family, but your family will know exactly what your wishes are so there will be no dealing with, discussing, (or fighting about) what you may have wanted. With a will, you take away any questions so your family members can grieve peacefully.
Family conflicts over inheritance can destroy decades-long relationships, and the gift of clarity you provide through a will allows your loved ones to honor your memory together rather than fracturing under the weight of uncertainty and conflict. A will serves as a clear roadmap during an already emotionally-charged time because there’s no room for interpretation or manipulation—which allows family members to focus on supporting each other through grief versus arguing over possessions.
4. You reduce burden and costs.
Wills simplify the probate process—which can take years instead of months—and reduce the tax burden of your estate to make it a quicker, easier, and less costly process for beneficiaries. Without a will, your estate faces a more complex, lengthy, and costly legal process that can consume a substantial portion of what you intended to leave behind. Your assets may also be frozen, preventing your family from accessing funds they might need for immediate expenses like mortgage payments, child care, or medical bills.
A proper will protects your beneficiaries’ wealth and can potentially save your family thousands of dollars.
5. You leave an enduring legacy.
A will leaves exactly the legacy you envision, which may be as simple as your children having resources for a college education, or as expansive as supporting scholarships for students in your community. Perhaps you want to support the local animal shelter where you volunteered, contribute to your church’s building fund, or help your favorite nonprofit expand its programming. Maybe your legacy is keeping a family business running, preserving a family property, or establishing a fund based on a cause you care about.
When considering where your assets ultimately land, a great way to leave a meaningful legacy is to include a bequest to a Grand Haven Area Community Foundation fund which aligns with your values. Whether you’re passionate about education, the environment, health, the arts, or community development, GHACF offers numerous ways to carry your impact forward for generations.
The Foundation’s investment management ensures your gift will be stewarded responsibly and distributed effectively to create lasting change. Your bequest can be directed to an existing fund or used to create a new fund reflecting your specific interests and bears your family’s name. This approach allows you to address current community needs while building an enduring legacy that continues long after you’re gone.
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Ready to take the next step? If you’d like assistance with including a bequest in your estate planning, our Advancement & Donor Services team at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is happy to help guide you in leaving a meaningful legacy for you and your family. Contact us today at (616) 842-6378.