August is Make a Will Month: One Conversation I Never Thought I’d Have at 39
By Jennifer Buonomo, Major Gifts Officer
I was 39 years old, busy raising children, juggling work, school, sports, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with a young family. Estate planning or writing a will just weren’t things on my to-do list. It was something I thought I’d worry about decades from now.
Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Almost overnight, my perspective changed.
Suddenly, I was making decisions I never imagined I’d have to make at my age. One thing I was encouraged to do was to think about my wishes, both for now and for the future. I sat down with an attorney and created a will. I named a power of attorney for myself, guardians for my children, made plans for my home, finances, even the dog.
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy. But it was one of the most empowering things I did.
For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I had taken back a little control. I couldn’t control what happened with cancer, but I could make sure that if the unimaginable happened, the people I loved most would know my wishes and they would be protected. It gave me one less thing to carry during an already overwhelming time.
This is one reason Make a Will Month is so important to me.
One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that estate planning is only for people who are much older or wealthy. The truth is that every adult can benefit from having a plan. I’ve encouraged many of my friends and family to think about their futures and create wills, no matter what their circumstances. A will isn’t about how much you own, it’s about making your wishes known and making life a little easier for the people you love.
Common Estate Planning Myths
Myth: “I’m too young to need a will.”
Reality: It is recommended that every adult has basic estate planning documents, regardless of age.
Myth: “Wills are only for wealthy people.”
Reality: A will helps ensure your wishes are carried out and can make things easier for your loved ones, no matter the size of your estate.
Myth: “Everything will automatically go to my spouse or children.”
Reality: Without a will, state law determines how your assets are distributed, which may involve additional time, costs, and court proceedings, and may not reflect your wishes.
Myth: “Once I’ve written my will, I’m done.”
Reality: It’s important to review your plan after major life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a cancer diagnosis, or significant financial changes.
Myth: “Estate planning is only about what happens after I’m gone.”
Reality: Documents like a healthcare proxy and power of attorney protect you while you’re living if you’re unable to make medical or financial decisions yourself.
Myth: “Estate planning is complicated and expensive.”
Reality: While everyone’s situation is different, many people find the process is more straightforward and more affordable than they expected.
Because this topic is so personal to me, I’m excited that the Breast Cancer Coalition is hosting an educational event on Tuesday, August 11, from 5:00-6:30 PM titled Creating Your Legacy: Planning for Peace of Mind.
We’ll be joined by local estate planning and financial professionals who will walk through wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, beneficiary designations, charitable planning, and practical next steps. Whether you’ve never thought about estate planning before or simply need to update documents you created years ago, my hope is that you’ll leave not feeling overwhelmed but empowered.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I made the decisions that I did. Many of my wishes still hold true today, five years later, and I’ve been able to make changes to the things which no longer do. It still gives me peace of mind to know that plans are in place.
If you’re ready, I hope you’ll join us on August 12th to take this step for yourself and your loved ones. You can register here. If you have questions or you’d rather just have a conversation about it, feel free to reach out to me anytime at jennifer@bccr.org. I’d love to talk to you.
