For estate planning attorneys and advisors who spend a lot of time encouraging clients to establish revocable living trusts to avoid probate, it may seem counterintuitive to leverage what’s known as “Make-A-Will Month.” Widely recognized in August, "Make-A-Will Month" encourages people to review—or, in some cases, finally get around to completing—their estate plans.
The reason this designation and the press coverage around it may be useful to you as an advisor is that “wills” are typically better known than “trusts,” and many people associate making a will with making an overall estate plan, many of which include, of course, both a trust and a pour-over will. In other words, “make a will” might get your clients’ attention and prompt them to reach out!
What’s more, Make-A-Will Month could help you proactively start conversations with clients instead of waiting for them to call you. For example, a proactive email to a client might include language like this:
Hi Sam,
Hope all is well with you! It is hard to believe summer is winding down!
I am reaching out because many of our clients are hearing about August’s designation as “Make-A-Will Month” and they are reaching out about updating their estate plans. As I reviewed your file, I realized that this actually could be a good time to review your documents, which we last updated in 2020. A lot can change in six years! Plus, I know you’ve mentioned in our prior conversations that you want to take a closer look at charitable planning as you and Valerie get closer to retirement. Shall we find a time to get together?
Thank you, Sam!
For context, it’s important to be aware that estate planning conversations are especially timely—and your clients’ charitable planning may be more important now than ever before. According to the latest Giving USA report, charitable bequests totaled more than $62 billion in 2025, increasing nearly 20% over the prior year—the strongest growth of any source of charitable giving.
What’s more, a recent analysis in Forbes suggests that the surge in charitable bequests signals that the Great Wealth Transfer has begun, making legacy giving the fastest-growing source of philanthropy and highlighting the growing importance of estate planning, donor advised funds, and planned giving infrastructure.You have the power to unlock charitable giving alongside the Community Foundation
As you help your clients consider the mechanics of a charitable legacy, keep in mind that there are many options, ranging from a gift in a will or trust, beneficiary designation on a retirement account or life insurance policy, or more complex gifts.
Most importantly, remember that the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia serves as a “hub” for all of your clients’ charitable planning, including legacy gifts as well as lifetime gifts. For example, an individual client might have a fund at the Community Foundation to organize annual giving, a field-of-interest fund to receive Qualified Charitable Distributions (if the client is 70 ½ or older), and a beneficiary designation on an IRA to leave the account in equal parts to the fund at the Community Foundation to improve the quality of life in our community as a whole.
Indeed, an overall philanthropy plan that includes lifetime giving as well as bequests is becoming more and more desirable among high net worth families. The Community Foundation is honored to be your partner in those discussions. Whether a client is considering a simple charitable bequest, naming a fund as the beneficiary of a retirement account, or exploring a more customized legacy plan, the Community Foundation regularly works alongside tax, estate planning, and financial advisors to help ensure the client's charitable wishes are carried out effectively.
Please reach out to our team anytime–Make-A-Will Month or otherwise!
The Community Foundation team is happy to help you structure charitable giving tools and plans to achieve your clients’ philanthropic goals—whether through beneficiary designations or any other type of charitable giving vehicle. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.
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