Creating a will is an essential step for everyone, no matter your age, background, or health. It ensures that your wishes are understood and followed, easing the burden on your loved ones during an already difficult time. Luckily, there are numerous organizations that offer free wills or trusts specifically for Veterans, making legal assistance easily accessible.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides free online will preparation services, along with legal service clinics at VA centers. In addition, the Military Pro Bono Project and the American Bar Association Veterans Legal Services offer free legal assistance to Veterans. The National Veterans Legal Services Program further supports Veterans by providing free attorney services and mentorship opportunities. For low-income military Veterans in New York City, the Veterans Justice Project offers legal services, including assistance with wills and testaments. If you’re a military member or have a family in the military, Stateside Legal can help you locate legal aid on a state level. There are also online will makers, like Cake, FreeWill, GoodTrust, Do Your Own Will, Fabric, and VA’s Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, that offer free or discounted services specifically for Veterans. Take advantage of these resources to ensure your wishes are respected and protect your loved ones.
Importance of Creating a Will
Creating a will is an essential step for everyone, regardless of age, background, or health. Many people mistakenly believe that wills are only necessary for the elderly or those with significant assets, but the truth is that everyone can benefit from having a will in place. A will not only ensures that your wishes are carried out after your passing, but it also provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Regardless of Age
While it may be tempting to put off creating a will until later in life, it’s important to remember that life is unpredictable. Even young and healthy individuals can unexpectedly face tragic accidents or illnesses. By creating a will at any age, you can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your untimely passing. It’s never too early to start thinking about your legacy and securing the future for your loved ones.
Regardless of Background
Regardless of your background or circumstances, creating a will is a vital step in protecting your assets and ensuring that your loved ones are provided for. Whether you are single, married, have children, or are part of a blended family, a will allows you to have control over the distribution of your estate. Without a will in place, the courts will decide how your assets are divided, which may not align with your wishes or the best interests of your family. Taking the time to create a will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, providing you with peace of mind.
Regardless of Health
Many people mistakenly believe that creating a will is only necessary if they have a serious illness or a terminal condition. However, accidents and unexpected health issues can occur at any time. By creating a will, you can outline your healthcare wishes and designate a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. Additionally, a will allows you to appoint guardians for your minor children, ensuring that they are cared for by someone you trust in the event of your incapacitation or passing. Taking the time to create a will is a crucial step in protecting yourself and your loved ones, regardless of your current health status.
Free Will and Trust Services for Veterans
For veterans, there are several organizations that offer free wills or trusts specifically tailored to their needs. These services aim to provide legal assistance and support to veterans in navigating the process of creating a will and securing their assets.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers free online will preparation services, making it easier for veterans to create and update their wills. These services can be accessed through the VA’s website and provide a convenient and accessible way for veterans to ensure their wishes are carried out.
Click here to fill out a power of attorney form for health care, a legal document that designates who you want to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to communicate. The document includes a living will section, which allows you to write down your wishes about treatment. Additional information can be found here.
In addition, VA offers the Advance Care Planning via Group Visits (ACP-GV) Program to engage Veterans, their families and caregivers in advance care planning by facilitating a group discussion. The discussion elicits personal experiences and encourages participants to identify a “next step” to take in the process of planning for health care needs. Contact your facility’s ACP-GV site lead official to sign up for a group or to learn more, including when groups are offered
Veterans Justice Project in NYC
The Veterans Justice Project in New York City offers legal services, including help with wills and testaments, to low-income military veterans. This project aims to provide accessible legal support to veterans who may face financial challenges while ensuring that their wishes regarding their assets and estates are upheld. Since 2011, they’ve helped over 14,600 Veterans. Their focus is on long-term economic security, including wills and testaments.
National Veterans Legal Services Program
The National Veterans Legal Services Program provides free attorney services and mentorship opportunities for veterans. In addition to general legal assistance, this program offers support in creating wills and testaments, ensuring that veterans can protect their assets and provide for their loved ones through proper estate planning. There are also free mentorship and training opportunities for Veterans around legal issues.
Military Pro Bono Project and American Bar Association Veterans Legal Services
The Military Pro Bono Project and the American Bar Association Veterans Legal Services offer free legal assistance for veterans, including will preparation services. These organizations provide access to experienced lawyers who can guide veterans through the process of creating a will and ensure that their wishes are legally binding.
Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal is a resource that helps military members and their families find legal aid on a state level. Through their online portal, veterans can access information and connect with resources that can assist them in creating wills and navigating the legal aspects of estate planning. Because estate planning differs by state, it’s very important to find a qualified lawyer or program in your state.
Online Will Makers for Veterans
In addition to the organizations mentioned above, there are also online will makers that offer free or discounted services specifically for veterans. These platforms aim to simplify the process of creating a will by providing easy-to-use online tools and templates. There are more online will makers than ever before. Some of these are free to all, while others have special discounts for Veterans.
Cake
Cake is an online will maker that offers a free version of their service to veterans. With Cake, veterans can create a legally binding will in less than 30 minutes. The platform guides users through a simple questionnaire and generates a personalized will that reflects their wishes. Trusted by 40 million people each year, there’s a reason our tools are the most trusted in the end-of-life planning space. Use code THANKSVETS to save $95 on your will, so you only pay $1.
Do Your Own Will
Do Your Own Will is a free online service that provides veterans with the tools and resources to create their own wills. The platform offers customizable templates and guides users through the process of creating a legally valid will. Though free, it isn’t very customiaable if you have specific needs.
Fabric
Fabric is an online platform that offers a comprehensive suite of services for estate planning, including creating a will. Although Fabric is not specifically tailored to veterans, they provide a user-friendly interface and valuable resources to assist veterans in creating a will and managing their assets. There’s a mobile app available if you’d prefer to create a will on your phone instead. Though it’s very black and white in terms of legal provisions, this is a solid choice.
FreeWill
FreeWill is another online platform that provides free will-making services for veterans. Their user-friendly interface allows veterans to create a will in minutes, ensuring that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. With specific help for guardianship, pet provisions, charitable donations and digital assets, this is a great choice. It’s free to update your will online anytime, and you can quickly download a PDF for your records.
GoodTrust
GoodTrust offers a discounted rate for veterans who wish to create a will online. Through their platform, veterans can easily create and update their wills, ensuring that their wishes are recorded and legally binding. There premium membership starts at $96, Veterans are eligible to get access to GoodTrust Premium for 12 months of free estate planning including a will, medical directive, durable financial power of attorney, funeral directive, pet directives, and secure access to everything in a digital vault. You can use code VETERANSDAY2022 at checkout.
VA’s Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
The VA’s Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program offers a free online will-making service for veterans. Through SGLI, veterans can create a simple will to ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes.
How Should Veterans Approach Estate Planning?
Considering the unique needs of veterans, how should they approach planning their estates? Discussing such matters might be challenging, but it’s crucial for peace of mind regarding the future. Safeguarding one’s family and assets is essential regardless of unforeseen circumstances.
What legal preparations are recommended? While the exact documents required vary based on individual needs and family dynamics, the following are some prevalent methods to secure your possessions:
Testament: A testament, commonly referred to as a will, is the primary document for estate planning. Given the uncertainties of life, especially for military families, a will outlines the management of your estate posthumously, indicating the distribution of your possessions. Appointment of attorney: In situations where you can’t manage your affairs, a designated attorney can act on your behalf, making essential financial and legal decisions. This individual may be responsible for tasks like bill payments, property maintenance, or liquidating assets. Guardian designation: For those with dependents, whether children, pets, or others, it’s crucial to have a guardian nominated. This ensures their care and welfare should anything happen to you. Trust formation: Trusts function similarly to testaments, detailing asset distribution after one’s passing. The advantage of trusts is the rapid transfer of assets and the bypassing of probate processes. Advanced care directive: Also known as a living will, it carries instructions regarding your health care preferences should you become incapacitated. It designates someone to make health decisions on your behalf under such circumstances. Beneficiary protection: Many veterans avail life insurance benefits via the VA. This ensures a predetermined payout to beneficiaries upon the veteran’s passing. Which of these legal instruments should a veteran opt for? Consulting a legal professional is always advisable to tailor strategies to one’s unique needs. Remember, preparedness isn’t about a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s about ensuring security in any situation.
In conclusion, creating a will is of utmost importance for everyone, regardless of age, background, or health. It provides a sense of security and ensures that your assets and wishes are carried out after your passing. For veterans, there are several organizations and online platforms that offer free or discounted will-making services, making it easier to navigate the estate planning process. Whether through government programs or private organizations, veterans have access to the resources they need to create a will and protect their assets for the future.
