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1st Baptist To Host Seminar On Wills & Estate Planning

With fewer than 32% of Americans having a will, First Baptist Church on Bute Street will host a free seminar June 17 to educate the public on estate planning and end-of-life preparedness.

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By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

The historic First Baptist Church, Bute Street will host a “Let’s Talk Business Putting Your Affairs in Order” class on June 17, at 11 a.m.

The event will occur at a time when a 2024 Wills and Estate Planning Study from Caring.com report showed nearly 7 out of 10 people are living without a will to direct family members and the court on how to handle their assets should they pass away. The church’s free class will feature Clerk of the Court Albert G. Horton, representatives from veterans and Woodlawn Cemeteries, Walton Funeral Home, and Sentara Advance Care Planning.

“Many people put off having a will or estate plan created, believing they have plenty of time or they do not have enough assets to warrant the process. Yet, everyone should have an estate plan. This is especially important if you have children or own a home,” authors of the 2024 Caring.com report noted.

The study showed 31 percent of Americans who earn more than $80,000 a year said family expansion motivated them to write a will. By comparison, just 10 percent of Americans making $40,000 or less were motivated to leave a will.

The number of White Americans with a will has decreased by 3 percent since 2020, while estate planning among Black Americans increased by 19 percent since 2020. Forty percent of people who don’t have a will say it’s because they don’t have enough assets to enumerate bequests. Sixty four percent of Americans say having a will is important, but fewer than 32 percent have one.