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August Is Make-A-Will Month

August 1, 2025, Gilchrist, Giving


Each August, individuals and families across the country are encouraged to take an important step for their future and their loved ones by creating or updating their will. It’s Make-A-Will Month—a time to reflect on the legacy you want to leave behind and ensure your wishes are honored.

At Gilchrist, we know that planning for the future can feel daunting. But it’s one of the most thoughtful and empowering acts you can take. A will ensures your values and wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected—no matter your age or stage of life.

Why Everyone Should Make a Will

You do not need to be ill or on hospice to create a will. In fact, anyone 18 or older can and should consider having one. Despite that:

  • Fewer than one-third of adults have written any kind of will
  • 80% of people have never discussed their end-of-life wishes with family

A will provides critical benefits:

  • Designates guardians for minor children
  • Names an executor to manage your affairs
  • Protects your assets and ensures they go to designated loved ones or organizations
  • Helps avoid lengthy court involvement and legal costs
  • Gives clear instructions for charitable bequests

How to Create a Will

Creating or updating a will doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. There are several ways to get started, depending on your needs:

  • Consult an estate planning attorney for professional, personalized support.
  • Use online resources, such as:
    • Gilchrist offers a FREE Estate Planning Guide. This helpful resource can help you plan your estate successfully and avoid accidental disinheritance. You can also ask questions in the comments section, then use the guide to record your family information and your estate distribution plans.
    • FreeWill.com
    • Nolo.com
    • LegalZoom.com

These platforms can guide you step by step and are especially helpful for those just starting the process.

Also consider checking with your human resources department, as some employers offer free or discounted legal support—including will preparation—as part of their benefits package.

Even if you’re not ready to make a full will, you can name Gilchrist as a beneficiary of your:

  • Retirement plan (IRA or 401(k), or 403(b)
  • Life insurance policy
  • Bank or investment account

This is often as simple as filling out a one-page form from your provider.

Consider Gilchrist in Your Will

When you include Gilchrist in your estate plan, you help ensure that others can receive compassionate care, counseling, and support during crucial moments:

  • Fund care for uninsured or underinsured patients
  • Sustain specialized programs like Gilchrist Kids and Veteran services
  • Support therapeutic services including music therapy, spiritual care, and family grief counseling
  • Maintain community outreach and end-of-life education

Every legacy gift—large or small—helps keep hope, dignity, and comfort alive for families in need.

Already Planned? Let Us Know

If you’ve already included Gilchrist in your estate plans, we’d love to hear from you. By notifying us of your intentions, you’ll help inspire others and become part of The Gilchrist Legacy Society—a community of compassionate supporters who have made a lasting commitment to the future of hospice and palliative care.

We will honor your generosity and, if you choose, recognize your name among others who are helping sustain Gilchrist’s mission.

Learn More About Leaving a Legacy

To learn more about the different ways you can make a planned gift—such as through wills, trusts, real estate, donor-advised funds, or retirement assets—please visit our dedicated legacy giving website.

There, you can:

  • Access estate planning tools
  • Explore a variety of gift options
  • Use our Gift Calculator to see the benefits of different strategies
  • Read helpful articles and a glossary of terms
  • Contact our philanthropy team securely through the portal

Making a gift through a Donor Advised Fund is a powerful way to ensure Gilchrist’s mission lives on. To learn more about how to reduce estate taxes, bequests and other gift planning options, please contact:

  • If you reside in Howard County or the surrounding area, please reach out to:
    Diane Daniels
    Director of Philanthropy, Howard County
    443-721-6110 | drdaniels@gilchristcares.org