Where There’s a Will …
Having completed my Last Will and Testament a quarter of a century ago, I mentally filed it in the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” folder somewhere between my hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, with a backup hard copy in a rusting file cabinet in my garage. After all, once those decisions have been made, why go back and complicate things? As a Christ-follower, what I decided back then should still hold true today, right?
Not so much.
By His grace, my values remain intact. But when it comes to my legacy intentions, not much today resembles what was going on 25 years ago. I now have four adult children, all married or soon to be. I have two enchanting granddaughters who, on any given day, could easily divert what I had intended to bequeath to their parents directly to them instead (Yes, they’re that cute). And I have a much more developed sense of charitable intent toward the Kingdom causes God has laid on my heart than I did when I was simply trying to keep my young family sheltered, fed, and reasonably content.
Peter and his wife, Pam (center) with two of their children's families (and one proud auntie)
My Awakening
So, what awakened me after 25 years of Rip Van Winkle slumber on my estate planning journey? Well, frankly, it was hard to avoid. About a year and a half ago, I started working for Orchard Alliance. Around that time, Orchard had entered into a relationship with an organization that offers a way for people to create or update a will online at no cost. It took over a year for that partnership to materialize, as Orchard’s Gift & Estate Design team worked diligently to ensure that the will and trust tools being offered would fully serve our clients’ needs and align with Kingdom values.
Being a communications guy here at Orchard, I was involved in promoting this free, online will-planning service. It soon awakened me to my need to update my will, which, I believe, may have been etched on an ancient scroll. And what better way to learn about these new tools I’m promoting than to jump in and try them myself?
Assessing Orchard Alliance’s Free Online Tool
I found Orchard’s online tool to be surprisingly simple. It told me what I needed to gather together before starting the process. Once I had everything pulled together, it took me only about 45 minutes to create my will (some have boasted a half hour or less, but they must have a few more brain cells than me). The tool gave me the option of crafting a traditional will or a revocable living trust. Here’s a helpful table to help you decide which one might be best for you.
Through Orchard Alliance’s free online tool, I was able to:
Generate my trust document, power of attorney, health care directive, and other estate documents—ready to be signed or notarized
Designate my beneficiaries –including family members and charitable causes
Have my will reviewed by an Orchard Alliance Gift & Estate Design specialist
Online estate planning isn’t for everyone. Some people have more complex situations, like blended families, disabled dependents, their own businesses, or multiple real estate holdings. Orchard Alliance’s Gift & Estate Design specialists can help you determine whether the online tool is right for you. You can contact them for a no-cost consultation at willplanning@orchardalliance.org or by calling 866-802-1490.
You’re Not Too Young to Create Your Will
Creating or updating your will is not just for us geezers who may be a little closer to our eternal home. More and more Gen X, Y, and Zers—especially those with young children— are awakening to the importance of planning their estates and securing their legacies to better prepare for the unforeseen.
As one 30-something couple who recently created a will through Orchard commented,
“Estate planning is one of those things we always knew we needed to do—but between raising two young children, work, and the busyness of life, it kept getting pushed aside. Beyond the practical complexities, there’s also the emotional weight of it: facing your own mortality and making decisions you pray your family never has to act on. It felt overwhelming, and honestly, easy to avoid.
But we also knew that Scripture calls us to steward well what we've been given—and that includes having our affairs in order, not just for our sake, but to care for the ones we love and to honor the Lord.
Working with Orchard Alliance—and especially with Michelle Jackson—has been such a blessing. From the very beginning, Michelle approached everything with wisdom, patience, and genuine kindness. She walked with us through the full biblical estate planning process, answered our questions with care, and offered prayerful support every step of the way.
Not only were we able to create a will and living trust that reflect our values and priorities as believers, but we also completed our healthcare directives and financial powers of attorney. Knowing these decisions are made brings a level of peace we didn’t expect—but deeply needed. It's a gift to our family in more ways than one, especially during times of grief when clarity and guidance are most needed.
The online platform made the actual documentation process incredibly approachable, and the fact that Orchard Alliance offers this as part of their ministry—at no cost—is such a generous and Kingdom-minded resource. Orchard took something that felt heavy and intimidating and helped us move through it with confidence, clarity, and faith.
We’re deeply grateful for this experience and wholeheartedly recommend Orchard Alliance to any Christian family who has not yet completed their estate planning. Don’t wait. This is one of the most loving and obedient decisions you can make for your family and for the legacy you want to leave.”
— Sam and Holly Gratton
August is National Make-a-Will Month
According to Gallup, 46% of U.S. adults say they have a will—meaning less than half have documented instructions for handling their assets after death. Although a will or trust can be crafted any day of the year, August has been designated as a month to jump in and secure your legacy through a will. What better time to seize the opportunity?
To get started with Orchard Alliance’s free, online tool to create your will or trust, visit https://faithandfinance.org/online-will-and-trust-planning.
Again, If you have any questions about creating your will or trust online, please email willplanning@orchardalliance.org or call toll-free 866-802-1490.
Faith & Finance Perspective
A biblically sound will or trust is more than a legal document; it's a testament to your faith and a means for stewarding your legacy, blessing your family, and furthering God’s Kingdom beyond your lifetime.
Where there’s a will . . .
Your loved ones will be provided for.
Your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.
The charities and ministries you hold dear—like your local Alliance church and the Great Commission Fund—can sustain and increase their Kingdom impact.
Your legacy will remain long after you pass.
“Those who are righteous will be long remembered . . . They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” – Psalm 112:6, 9, NLT