More Than Half of Americans Don’t Have a Will. Do You?

According to the Trust and Will 2025 Estate Planning Report, only 31% of Americans have a will—even though 83% agree it’s important. So, what’s holding people back?

Maybe you’ve thought, “I don’t have enough assets for a will,” “I’m too young to need one,” or “I’ve had one for years—it’s probably fine.”

These are common and understandable thoughts—but they can leave important decisions to chance. A will isn’t just about finances; it’s about care, clarity, and love. It makes sure your wishes are honored—from guardianship of minors to the distribution of cherished possessions and charitable gifts. Without one, those choices are made for you under state law.

If you already have a will, this Make-A-Will Month, it’s worth asking: does it reflect your current life, relationships, and priorities?

Now Is the Time to Put Your Plan in Place

An up-to-date will offers peace of mind for nearly everyone—regardless of age, wealth, or family structure—by ensuring your decisions are clear and legally documented.

Creating or updating a will might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to begin:

• ‍Take inventory: Everyone has an estate—it’s simply everything you own. Make a list of your property, real estate, bank and retirement accounts, investments, and other assets.‍
• Consider your wishes: Who and what do you want to provide for? Think about the people, causes, and organizations that matter most to you.‍
• Consult a professional: An estate planning attorney can help you draft a will that reflects your wishes and complies with state law—or review and update your existing plan.‍
• Explore educational webinars and online tools: While legal assistance is helpful in complex situations, there are reliable low-and no-cost options available. Keep an eye out for local webinars that can help demystify the process or take advantage of free online will-making tools like FreeWill or Giving Docs to create a basic will at low or no cost.

This August, consider taking just one step toward creating or updating your will. You might be surprised at the peace of mind it brings.

Your Legacy Can Be a Force for Good

Your will is more than a legal document—it’s a powerful tool for shaping the future. By including a charitable gift in your will, you can extend your values and help the causes you care about thrive for generations to come.

You don’t have to be wealthy to make a lasting impact. Even a small percentage of your estate—just 1%—can make a lasting difference.

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound offers several ways to make a charitable gift through your will:

• ‍Norma Schuiteman Sustaining Fund: Support the Community Foundation’s operations and programs by investing in the staff and resources that make our work possible.‍
• Community Funds: Strengthen our grantmaking and impact work. These flexible funds help us listen, learn, and respond to our communities’ evolving needs.‍
• Specific Causes: Support a defined area of interest—such as the arts, education, environment, equity, or economic opportunity—by directing your gift toward grants in those fields.‍
• Specific Charities: Name one or more nonprofits to receive your gift either for a set period or in perpetuity. We’ll ensure your support reaches the organizations that matter most to you.

Community members who make a planned gift through their will, trust, beneficiary designation, or other legacy commitment are invited to join the Community Foundation's Legacy Circle—a group of generous individuals committed to creating a lasting impact. Click here for more information.

Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, we hope you’ll consider including your favorite nonprofit organizations. With your commitment, your legacy can be an agent of positive change for the South Puget Sound—now and in the future.

For more information about planned giving or the Foundation’s Legacy Circle, contact Mary Lam-Witcher, Philanthropy & Communications Officer, at 360.705.3340 or mary@thecommunityfoundation.com.