For most of us, seeing “make a will” on our to-do list is very daunting. This month is Make-a-Will Month which is the perfect time to be reminded of the importance of having a will and trust, even if it can be a difficult subject. Below are three reasons why everyone should have a will, no matter your net worth.

1. You Decide How your Assets are Distributed (not the courts!)

Only by creating a will can you decide who should receive your money, assets, and belongings after your lifetime. Without a will, the courts will determine who is “next of kin” and hand everything over to that person (after taking a substantial amount themselves in fees).

Over the past eight months our staff has had the pleasure of getting to know and working with Victor, a student at Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School. Victor was assigned to work at the Foundation as part of his Corporate Work Study Program. Through this program, students at Cristo Rey gain real work experience in companies throughout the Silicon Valley and the money they earn goes directly toward paying their tuition. It’s a true win-win for the students and the companies that employ them.

This was our first year hiring a Corporate Work Study student and it has been an excellent experience. We weren’t quite sure what to expect and didn’t know if the concept of what a community foundation does would resonate with a 16-year-old. Victor has been a valuable addition to our team, and everyone has enjoyed getting to work with him on projects.