blog.ochsner.org
Open in
urlscan Pro
50.57.30.83
Public Scan
Submitted URL: https://giving.ochsner.org/site/R?i=Aj0udC1BY8RN_VRrqUBjoLBogWQUhS70Q31JYp81vYwe2wktWpGGCw
Effective URL: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/10-myths-about-writing-a-will
Submission: On August 23 via manual from US — Scanned from DE
Effective URL: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/10-myths-about-writing-a-will
Submission: On August 23 via manual from US — Scanned from DE
Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOMPOST https://webto.salesforce.com/servlet/servlet.WebToLead?encoding=UTF-8
<form id="newsletter-drawer-signup" action="https://webto.salesforce.com/servlet/servlet.WebToLead?encoding=UTF-8" method="POST">
<input type="hidden" name="captcha_settings" value="{"keyname":"GoogleRecaptcha","fallback":"true","orgId":"00D1U000000wLD3","ts":"1724445528058"}" sd_sf="ovmm">
<input type="hidden" name="oid" value="00D1U000000wLD3" sd_sf="ovmm">
<input type="hidden" name="retURL" value="https://blog.ochsner.org?newsletter=thankyou" sd_sf="ovmm">
<div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll" class="newsletter-signup__inputs">
<div class="group inputs">
<div class="newsletter-embed-content">
<input class="required form-control mb-3" id="first_name" placeholder="First Name" maxlength="40" name="first_name" size="20" type="text" required="" sd_sf="qjj-32">
<input class="required form-control mb-3" id="last_name" placeholder="Last Name" maxlength="80" name="last_name" size="20" type="text" required="" sd_sf="qjj-33">
<input class="required form-control mb-3" id="email" placeholder="Email Address" maxlength="80" name="email" size="20" type="text" required="" sd_sf="qjj-3">
<input class="required form-control mb-3" id="zip" placeholder="Zip Code" maxlength="20" name="zip" size="20" type="text" required="" sd_sf="qjj-26">
<div class="group signup-group">
<div id="blogRecaptcha" class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="6LfumocUAAAAANdyKslj6oPDZTCivY1VYqDrc06j">
<div style="width: 304px; height: 78px;">
<div><iframe title="reCAPTCHA" width="304" height="78" role="presentation" name="a-mknyssmhk5o5" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"
sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-modals allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-storage-access-by-user-activation"
src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api2/anchor?ar=1&k=6LfumocUAAAAANdyKslj6oPDZTCivY1VYqDrc06j&co=aHR0cHM6Ly9ibG9nLm9jaHNuZXIub3JnOjQ0Mw..&hl=de&v=i7X0JrnYWy9Y_5EYdoFM79kV&size=normal&cb=lfne5guecbv1"></iframe>
</div><textarea id="g-recaptcha-response" name="g-recaptcha-response" class="g-recaptcha-response" sd_sf="ovmm"
style="width: 250px; height: 40px; border: 1px solid rgb(193, 193, 193); margin: 10px 25px; padding: 0px; resize: none; display: none;"></textarea>
</div><iframe style="display: none;"></iframe>
</div>
<button type="submit" value="Submit" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe">Sign Up</button>
</div>
</div>
<div class="newsletter-signup__categories visuallyhidden"> To Your Health- Food and Fitness:<input id="00N1U00000UaadL" name="00N1U00000UaadL" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health- General:<input id="00N1U00000UaadM"
name="00N1U00000UaadM" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health- Men’s Health:<input id="00N1U00000UaadN" name="00N1U00000UaadN" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health- Pulse on Parenting:<input
id="00N1U00000UaadO" name="00N1U00000UaadO" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health- Women’s Health:<input id="00N1U00000UaadP" name="00N1U00000UaadP" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health-Mental
Health Monthly":<input id="00N2H0000069oXl" name="00N2H0000069oXl" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> To Your Health- Skin Deep:<input id="00N2H000006Dza6" name="00N2H000006Dza6" type="checkbox" value="1" sd_sf="ovmm"><br>
<label for="lead_source">Lead Source</label>
<select id="lead_source" name="lead_source">
<option value="">--None--</option>
<option value="Advertisement">Advertisement</option>
<option value="Customer Event">Customer Event</option>
<option value="Employee Referral">Employee Referral</option>
<option value="Google AdWords">Google AdWords</option>
<option value="Other">Other</option>
<option value="Partner">Partner</option>
<option value="Purchased List">Purchased List</option>
<option value="Trade Show">Trade Show</option>
<option value="Webinar">Webinar</option>
<option value="Website">Website</option>
<option value="Form Fill" selected="">Form Fill</option>
<option value="Mobile App">Mobile App</option>
<option value="Purchased List - Epsilon">Purchased List - Epsilon</option>
<option value="Retail - BrightTree">Retail - BrightTree</option>
<option value="Retail - CSI">Retail - CSI</option>
<option value="Board of Directors">Board of Directors</option>
<option value="City Business Book Of Lists">City Business Book Of Lists</option>
<option value="External Referral">External Referral</option>
<option value="Hospital CEO">Hospital CEO</option>
<option value="OHS Executive">OHS Executive</option>
<option value="Public Relations">Public Relations</option>
<option value="Seminar - Internal">Seminar - Internal</option>
<option value="Seminar - Partner">Seminar - Partner</option>
<option value="Web">Web</option>
<option value="Word of mouth">Word of mouth</option>
<option value="Member">Member</option>
<option value="Friend">Friend</option>
<option value="OHS Provider">OHS Provider</option>
<option value="Social Media">Social Media</option>
<option value="Executive Health">Executive Health</option>
<option value="Medicomm">Medicomm</option>
</select><br> Source:<input value="https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/10-myths-about-writing-a-will" id="00N1U00000U33f4" maxlength="250" name="00N1U00000U33f4" size="20" type="text" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> Source Description:<input
value="Ochsner Blog Site" id="00N1U00000U33hZ" maxlength="255" name="00N1U00000U33hZ" size="20" type="text" sd_sf="ovmm"><br> Marketing Goal:<input value="Placeholder" id="00N1U00000U4kP7" maxlength="255" name="00N1U00000U4kP7" size="20"
type="text" sd_sf="ovmm"><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</form>
Text Content
* Find a Doctor * Find a Location * Give Now * Pay a Bill * Check Symptoms & Get Care * Login * About About Ochsner Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Learn More About Ochsner * Mission & Vision * History * Regions * Diversity, Equity and Inclusion * Annual Report * Outcomes & Honors * News & Media * Partnerships * Ochsner Health Network * Contact Us Community * Community Health Needs Assessment * Community Benefit Report * Serving Our Schools * Discovery Health Sciences Academy * Community Service * Outreach by Region * Calendar of Events * Sponsorships Health Resources * COVID-19 Information * All Health Resources * Healthy State * To Your Health Blog * Golden Opportunity * Ochsner Magazine * Patients & Visitors Patients & Visitors Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities. Learn More I need to… * Check Symptoms Check Symptoms and Get Care * Find a Doctor * Find a Location * Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment * Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment * Pay a Bill * Personalize Personalize My Content Services & Resources * Patient Services * Visitor Policy * Billing & Financial Services * Insurance Information * International Patients * Language and Translation Services * Share Your Story * Read Patient Stories * Request Medical Records MyOchsner * About MyOchsner * How to Use MyOchsner * Patient Login * New Patient? Sign Up * Specialties & Treatments Specialties & Treatments Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty. All Specialties Featured Specialties * Primary Care (Internal Medicine) * Urgent Care Services * Connected Anywhere Virtual Visits * Women's Health * Men's Health * Pediatrics * Digital Medicine * ER Locations * Pharmacy & Wellness * Psychiatry & Behavioral Health * Smoking Cessation Services * Heart & Vascular * Cancer Care * Neuroscience * Organ Transplants * Orthopedics * Sports Medicine * Therapy & Wellness * Optical Shops * Digestive Disorders * Urology * Research & Education Research & Education Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. As the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges. All Research All Education Research * Clinical Research * Translational Research * Outcomes Research * Nursing Research * Research Opportunities * Investigator-Initiated Research Resources * BioDesign Lab * Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research Education * Browse All Programs * UQ-Ochsner Clinical School * Clinical Medical Education * Graduate Medical Education * Continuing Medical Education * Medical Library * Publishing * Careers Careers Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner. Visit Careers Find the Career for You * Careers at Ochsner * Why Work Here * Search Jobs * Benefits * Locations Career Paths * Physicians * Nursing * Allied Health * Non-Medical Professional * Management & Leadership * Technology & Innovation * Fellowships, Internships & Residencies * Advanced Practice Providers * Research * Search Search * Login * Check Symptoms & Get Care * Find a Doctor * Find a Location * Give Now * Pay a Bill * About Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Learn More About Ochsner * Mission & Vision * History * Regions * Diversity, Equity and Inclusion * Annual Report * Outcomes & Honors * News & Media * Partnerships * Ochsner Health Network * Contact Us Community * Community Health Needs Assessment * Community Benefit Report * Serving Our Schools * Discovery Health Sciences Academy * Community Service * Outreach by Region * Calendar of Events * Sponsorships Health Resources * COVID-19 Information * All Health Resources * Healthy State * To Your Health Blog * Golden Opportunity * Ochsner Magazine * Patients & Visitors Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities. Learn More I need to… * Check Symptoms Check Symptoms and Get Care * Find a Doctor * Find a Location * Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment * Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment * Pay a Bill * Personalize Personalize My Content Services & Resources * Patient Services * Visitor Policy * Billing & Financial Services * Insurance Information * International Patients * Language and Translation Services * Share Your Story * Read Patient Stories * Request Medical Records MyOchsner * About MyOchsner * How to Use MyOchsner * Patient Login * New Patient? Sign Up * Specialties & Treatments Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty. All Specialties Featured Specialties * Primary Care (Internal Medicine) * Urgent Care Services * Connected Anywhere Virtual Visits * Women's Health * Men's Health * Pediatrics * Digital Medicine * ER Locations * Pharmacy & Wellness * Psychiatry & Behavioral Health * Smoking Cessation Services * Heart & Vascular * Cancer Care * Neuroscience * Organ Transplants * Orthopedics * Sports Medicine * Therapy & Wellness * Optical Shops * Digestive Disorders * Urology * Research & Education Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. As the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges. All Research All Education Research * Clinical Research * Translational Research * Outcomes Research * Nursing Research * Research Opportunities * Investigator-Initiated Research Resources * BioDesign Lab * Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research Education * Browse All Programs * UQ-Ochsner Clinical School * Clinical Medical Education * Graduate Medical Education * Continuing Medical Education * Medical Library * Publishing * Careers Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner. Visit Careers Find the Career for You * Careers at Ochsner * Why Work Here * Search Jobs * Benefits * Locations Career Paths * Physicians * Nursing * Allied Health * Non-Medical Professional * Management & Leadership * Technology & Innovation * Fellowships, Internships & Residencies * Advanced Practice Providers * Research * Medical Professionals * Employers * Employees * Shop Call: 1-866-624-7637 Explore -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to Our Newsletters View Newsletter Editions * Food & Fitness * Conditions & Treatment * Health Trends * Prevention & Wellness * Women's Health * Men's Health * Mental Health * Parenting 10 FACTS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE WRITING A WILL Apr 8, 2024 | By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE Share WHY DO I NEED A WILL? For many people, writing a will seems like a complex, daunting process. And while there's no shortage of information available on the topic, not all of it is accurate. Despite what you may have heard, a will is an important estate planning tool, and all adults should have one. Below, we clear up 10 common myths about writing a will and provide tips to help you finish your own estate plan. MYTH 1: "I DON'T OWN A LOT, SO I DON'T NEED A WILL." Busted! Wills aren't just for the rich and famous. There are many important reasons to have a will, and passing on your money and property is only one of them. With a will, you can also choose guardians for your minor children, name caretakers for your beloved pets, write your funeral wishes, designate who manages your online/digital assets and more. MYTH 2: "MY FAMILY KNOWS MY WISHES, SO I DON'T NEED A WILL." Busted! Even if your family knows what you want — and they might know less than you think — they don't get to make decisions for you if you die without a will. Instead, a court will make those decisions based on your state's intestacy laws. Court proceedings can be long, drawn-out and expensive, costing loved ones a lot of money from your estate. Also, you might want your assets distributed differently than how the court would distribute them. A will is your last, best opportunity to direct your estate assets to who you want in the amounts you decide. Consider the last time you tried to pick a restaurant to go to dinner with your family—did everyone quickly agree? A will avoids ambiguity, guesswork and possible family friction during a difficult time. MYTH 3: "MY FAMILY WILL LOOK AFTER MY KIDS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME." Busted! Choosing a guardian for your minor children is one of the most important things you can do in your will. Some people assume that if they die, their families will look after their children. But again, if you don't have a will, your family doesn't get to make this decision. Your family members can step up and offer to take custody of your children, but ultimately, the court will decide who's most fit to be their guardian. And who volunteers (and is chosen) could be different from the person you would have picked had you chosen the guardian yourself. MYTH 4: "I NEED A LAWYER TO WRITE A WILL." Busted! If you have a complex family or financial situation, you will probably benefit from hiring an attorney to help you draft your will. But if you're like most Americans, you could also write your own will. As long as you follow the proper guidelines, a do-it-yourself will is just as valid as one prepared by a lawyer. MYTH 5: "WRITING A WILL IS EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING." Busted! This often goes hand-in-hand with the point above. When it comes to writing a will, many people picture long, expensive meetings in an attorney's office and decide to avoid it. But with today's technology, it's easier than ever to access high-quality will templates and forms that help you quickly and accurately write your will. There are several low-cost or free options on the market, including FreeWill, that can help you create your will in less time than an episode of your favorite streaming show. MYTH 6: "A WILL MUST BE NOTARIZED AND FILED IN COURT FOR IT TO BE LEGAL." Busted in 49 states, half-busted in Louisiana! The rules that govern how to make a valid and legal will vary from state to state. Currently, Louisiana is the only state that requires you to notarize your will. All other states only need the will writer's signature and the signatures of at least two witnesses. Having your document notarized can be helpful even if not required, and it is not difficult. Notaries are professionals who verify the identities of people signing legal documents of all types, and they are easy to find and generally charge a small fee for their services. You also don't have to file your will at the courthouse for it to be valid — it's just an optional step that safeguards your will and starts the probate or succession process more quickly. If you don't wish to file your will with the court, you can keep it in a safe place — like a safe deposit box or fireproof safe — and let your loved ones know where it can be found. When you pass away, someone (usually your personal representative or executor) locates your will and files it with the court to begin the probate process. MYTH 7: "IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I HAVE A WILL BECAUSE NO ONE WILL FOLLOW IT." Busted! Some people believe that, even if they have a will, their families or the court will disregard it and do whatever they please. But if you have a valid will, your lawful wishes must be followed to the greatest extent possible. That's the law. There are some circumstances when your wishes might not be followed, but these can usually be avoided with proper planning. For example, your will might not be followed if: * It's rejected because it isn't valid. For example, perhaps you didn't sign or witness it properly. * It can't be found, or no one knew it existed, so it wasn't submitted to the court. * It conflicts with and is overruled by certain state laws. For example, in some states, your spouse is entitled to a certain share of your property, even if you try to give them less in your will. MYTH 8: "I'M TOO YOUNG TO NEED A WILL." Busted! It's never too early to have a will! If you're older than 18, it's a good idea to have one, especially if you own property, pets or have children. None of us can predict the future, and we don't know how long our lives will be. Having a will can give you the peace of mind that, no matter what happens, you've put your affairs in order and protected your loved ones. MYTH 9: "I ALREADY HAVE A WILL, SO I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE." Busted! Having a will is a great first step, but it's only useful to you and your loved ones if you keep it up-to-date. Your circumstances, relationships and wealth will likely change many times over the course of your life. Estate attorneys recommend updating your will every three to five years or whenever you have a major life event (like getting married or divorced, moving to a different state or having children). For example, say you once planned to create a trust for a young relative, but they've since grown up and don't need financial support anymore. Perhaps you wanted to leave your prized 1969 Corvette convertible to your brother, but he doesn't want it. Or maybe there's a cause that's close to your heart, and you want to add a charity (like Ochsner) as a beneficiary in your will. By updating your will, you make sure it always reflects your most current wishes. MYTH 10: "MY DEBTS GO AWAY WHEN I DIE." Busted! Wouldn't that be nice? Unfortunately, your debts don't disappear when you pass away. Instead, they'll be paid with the funds from your estate. If your estate doesn't have enough cash to cover your debts, it's possible some of your assets may be sold for cash to pay back creditors. If you have a will, you can choose which assets you want to be used to pay your debts and in which order. If you don't have a will, it's up to your executor and the court to decide which of your assets to sell to cover your debts. Making a will creates peace of mind. Confronting our mortality can be uncomfortable. However, it is a fact of life that cannot be avoided. Creating a will is one of the kindest things you can do for your family. By putting your affairs in order, you can prevent stress and provide for the people and causes you love. Dying without a will can cause all sorts of problems. Consider the news stories involving the estates of Aretha Franklin, James Gandolfini and Prince. All three died without valid wills, and their families are still dealing with the many issues that could have been easily avoided. Technology has made creating a will easier than ever before. Ochsner has partnered with FreeWill, an online tool that provides legal forms and legal information that our supporters can use to create a valid will or living trust. FreeWill uses a clear step-by-step procedure that takes around 20 minutes to complete. You answer questions about who you are, your heirs, your pets, your assets and how you want them distributed. You can even leave a bequest to a charity like Ochsner Health if you choose. It is free to use at your own pace, with no obligation. One last thing: If you have a more complicated situation, like a large estate, difficult family dynamics or need to provide for a special needs child, it could be a good idea to work with an estate attorney. They can help you create an estate plan that's the best fit for you and the people and causes you love. Ready to get started? Create your free will or trust with FreeWill today. This blog was written with guidance by FreeWill, Ochsner’s free planning tool to prepare you and your loved ones for the future. Tags estate planning wills written will YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Health Trends May 31, 2024 THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A WRITTEN WILL: 2024 TIPS While it is not a fun topic to bring up, a will is an important thing to have, allowing… you to decide who inherits what from your estate. By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE Health Trends April 10, 2024 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY 2024: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Advance care planning isn't just for older people. Now is the time to have… discussions with your family members to understand what matters most. By Susan E. Nelson, MD Prevention & Wellness May 28, 2024 4 WAYS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS ARE IMPROVING YOUR HEALTHCARE Electronic health records are a digital version of a paper chart containing a… patient’s medical history & used for diagnosis and treatment. By Lynn Witherspoon, MD Comments about the blog? Send us an email! Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637 Where Health Leads Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) Follow Ochsner Health on X (Formerly Twitter) LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Free health and wellness newsletters, delivered straight to your inbox Sign Up for our newsletters Patients & Visitors * Billing & Financial Services * Price Transparency * Insurance Information * International Patients * Visitor Policy * Request Medical Records * Share Your Story * Read Patient Stories Medical Professionals * Transfer a Patient * Refer a Patient Health Resources * To Your Health Blog * Golden Opportunity * Healthy State Job Seekers * Career Paths * Benefits * Open Positions Employees * Webmail * OHSLink * Workday Employers * Corporate Wellness * Medicare Advantage Plans Community * Community Health Needs Assessment * Community Benefit Report * Serving Our Schools * Discovery Health Sciences Academy * Community Service * Outreach by Region * Calendar of Events * Sponsorships Education * Browse All Programs * UQ-Ochsner Clinical School * Clinical Medical Education * Graduate Medical Education * Continuing Medical Education * Medical Library * Publishing Research * Clinical Research * Translational Research * Outcomes Research * Nursing Research * Research Opportunities * Investigator-Initiated Research Resources * BioDesign Lab * Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research Giving * Donate * Volunteer About Ochsner * Mission & Vision * History * Regions * Diversity, Equity and Inclusion * Annual Report * Outcomes & Honors * News & Media * Alumni * Ochsner Health Network * Contact Us Shop * O Bar * Optical Shop * Ochsner Fitness Center * Brent House Hotel © Ochsner Health | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information Ochsner accepts all major insurances. Ochsner is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research and education. We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers. Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Community Needs Health Assessment EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone Subscribe to Our Newsletters Select the newsletters you'd like to receive. Must Reads Food & Fitness Men's Health Pulse on Parenting Women's Health Mental Health Skin Deep Please select at least one category to continue. Continue Curious about our newsletters? View details for each edition Let us know where to send your newsletters. Sign Up To Your Health- Food and Fitness: To Your Health- General: To Your Health- Men’s Health: To Your Health- Pulse on Parenting: To Your Health- Women’s Health: To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly": To Your Health- Skin Deep: Lead Source --None-- Advertisement Customer Event Employee Referral Google AdWords Other Partner Purchased List Trade Show Webinar Website Form Fill Mobile App Purchased List - Epsilon Retail - BrightTree Retail - CSI Board of Directors City Business Book Of Lists External Referral Hospital CEO OHS Executive Public Relations Seminar - Internal Seminar - Partner Web Word of mouth Member Friend OHS Provider Social Media Executive Health Medicomm Source: Source Description: Marketing Goal: You're all set! We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox. Done