Are “Free Wills” Really Free? What Churches Should Know
“Free kittens.”
We have all seen the sign. And we all know that bringing home a free kitten is only the beginning.
There is food, litter, toys, vet visits, a carrier, and years of care. The kitten may be free, but the responsibility is not.
The same question is worth asking about a “free” will.
Online will-making tools can be a helpful starting point for some people. They may make estate planning feel more accessible and less intimidating. But a church leader should be cautious before assuming that a free document is automatically a complete or appropriate solution for every family.
A will is an important document. But it is only one part of a larger estate plan, and each person’s family circumstances, assets, state laws, and goals are different.
The question is not whether a free will is always good or always bad.
The better question is: Will this tool help our members make wise, complete, and legally appropriate decisions for the people they love?
A Will Is Important, But It May Not Be Enough
A valid will can be an important part of an estate plan. It can communicate a person’s wishes, name guardians for minor children, and direct how certain assets should be distributed.
But a will may not address every need.
Depending on a person’s situation, an estate plan may also include beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianship decisions, trusts, and other documents. Some of these decisions become especially important when someone is incapacitated, has minor children, owns property, has a blended family, or wants to make charitable gifts.
A free online will may be enough for some uncomplicated situations. For others, it may leave important questions unanswered.
Church leaders do not need to become legal experts. But they should be careful not to present one tool as a universal solution.
“Free” Does Not Always Mean Cost-Free
A free estate-planning tool may not cost money at the moment someone creates a document. But there can be costs later if the document is incomplete, improperly executed, outdated, or not appropriate for that person’s state and circumstances.
For example, a person may create a will but never sign it correctly. They may fail to update beneficiary designations after a marriage, divorce, birth, or death. They may not understand how jointly owned assets, retirement accounts, insurance policies, or real estate are handled.
These are not minor details.
Estate planning should give people greater clarity and peace. If a document creates false confidence while leaving major decisions unresolved, it may cause more difficulty for a family later. The best approach is not to frighten people away from simple tools. It is to encourage them to understand what those tools can and cannot do.
Probate, Privacy, and Delays Vary by State
Probate is a court-supervised process that may be required for assets governed by a will. The process, timing, cost, privacy considerations, and available alternatives vary significantly by state and by the kind of assets involved. For some families, probate is straightforward. For others, it may involve delays, added expense, public filings, or conflict among family members.
A will can be part of a wise plan, but it should not be presented as a guaranteed way to avoid every complication.
This is why it is valuable for people to receive guidance from a qualified estate-planning professional who understands the laws of their state and their specific situation.
The Most Important Questions Are Personal
When a will goes through probate, it becomes public record. Ask yourself this: after you filed your taxes last year, did you make copies for all your friends and neighbors to read? Of course not. Why? Because it’s no one’s business.
Yet with a will, your entire life’s financial story becomes open for anyone to see. And there are people who look through these records with less-than-noble intentions—seeing exactly what your children or grandchildren inherited and using that information for their own gain.
Estate planning is not only about distributing possessions. It is about caring for people.
Who will care for minor children if both parents die? Who can make medical decisions if a person becomes unable to speak for themselves? Who should manage financial matters during incapacity? How can a family avoid confusion during an already difficult season?
These are deeply personal questions. They deserve more than a quick online form.
Church leaders can serve members well by encouraging them to have these conversations while they are healthy, clear-minded, and able to make thoughtful decisions.
Estate Planning Is Also a Stewardship Conversation
For Christians, estate planning can be part of whole-life stewardship. We spend years making decisions about earning, saving, spending, giving, and caring for family. An estate plan invites us to consider whether those same values should shape the resources we leave behind.
Some people may choose to include their church or a ministry they care about in their estate plan. Others may focus on family needs, future generations, or other charitable priorities. The church should never pressure people toward a particular choice, but it can make space for the conversation. It can help people understand that charitable giving, legacy, and family care can all be considered together as part of a faithful plan.
What Should Churches Recommend?
Churches should be cautious about endorsing a single “free will” platform simply because it is convenient or inexpensive.
Instead, churches can provide estate-planning education that helps members understand the questions they need to ask and the kinds of professional guidance that may be helpful.
A wise approach may include:
Offering a basic estate-planning educational event
Providing a checklist of questions members can discuss with an attorney or advisor
Connecting people with qualified professionals in their state
Explaining the church’s legal name and charitable-giving information for those who ask
Encouraging members to review plans after major life changes
Making clear that the church is offering education, not legal or tax advice
This approach respects people’s circumstances and protects the trust they place in their church.
Help Families Seek Clarity, Not Just Convenience
Free can be a wonderful thing.
But when it comes to something as important as caring for loved ones, communicating final wishes, and stewarding a lifetime of resources, the lowest upfront cost should not be the only consideration.
A free will may be a helpful first step for some people. For others, it may not be enough.
Churches can serve families well by helping them see estate planning as more than a document. It is an opportunity to prepare wisely, care for the people they love, and make decisions that reflect their faith and values.
That is the kind of stewardship guidance people can trust.
Help Your Church Offer Estate Planning as a Ministry
Christian Stewardship Network is proud to partner with Financial Planning Ministry, an organization that helps churches offer estate-planning education to the people they serve.
FPM equips churches to help members think wisely about wills, trusts, family care, generosity, and legacy, with a focus on biblical stewardship rather than fundraising. If your church is looking for a trusted next step in serving families through estate planning, learn more at fpm.org.
GUEST AUTHOR:
D. Clay Perkins, Ph.D.,
Financial Planning Ministry
Christian Stewardship Network
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