Learn About Wills and Bequest
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Setting up a will can be accomplished by hiring an attorney who can properly advise on various options, especially for those who may have complicated assets. Online resources such as FreeWill, LegalZoom, LawDepot, Nolo's Quicken WillMaker, Rocket Lawyer, and Trust & Will, can provide templates and guidance for creating a will.
Different from an estate will, a Living Will is a legal document that dictates an individual’s wishes on end-of-life care and treatment should they become unable to make decisions on their own or can no longer communicate their wishes. A Living Will may include specific instructions on life sustaining treatment such as mechanical ventilation and feeding tubes. It may stipulate an individual’s wishes for comfort care using medications as well as Do Not Resuscitate directives. A Living Will also offers the opportunity to assign someone as medical power of attorney who knows you and understands your end-of-life desires and can make the necessary decisions for you. An attorney can help you draw up the document, but there are online resources that can be completed individually and then filed with your healthcare provider.
After personal and family needs are addressed, a Will presents an opportunity for an individual to leave a legacy to a cause or causes they most care about. Bequests are a significant way that our community of ALS friends and family have helped sustain our mission of providing free services for people living with ALS as well as funding valuable research. Please consider including a gift in your will that will have a lasting impact on people living with ALS.
What are the benefits of making a bequest?
- You leave a lasting legacy to be remembered.
- You lessen the burden of taxes on your family.
- You may receive estate tax savings.
How can I learn more?
How do I make a bequest?
A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to family, friends and/or ALS United Mid-Atlantic as part of your estate plan.
What are my options?
A bequest can be made in several ways:
- You can gift a specific dollar amount or asset.
- You can gift a percentage of your estate.
- You can gift from the balance or residue of your estate.
- You can make a beneficiary designation of certain assets.
How do I get started?
The Power of Donations
Our work at ALS United Mid-Atlantic is only possible because of our generous donors. Every program, every service, and every resource we provide to patients and families facing ALS is made real through the support of people who care. Your contributions help fund essential services, including equipment loans, treatment center visits, assistive technology, counseling, and financial assistance.
We are deeply grateful for every donation, large or small. Your generosity sustains our mission and strengthens the ALS community across the Mid-Atlantic region. Together, we provide critical care, vital resources, and hope for families confronting ALS every day.