According to LegalZoom (www.legalzoom.com) only 33% of American have an estate plan/will. It is estimated that 52 percent of Americans don’t know where their parents will is located; 60% of people without a will reported not taking any action to create a will and also haven't made a living trust or any other estate planning document. (Caring.com)

To address the issue, the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service held a two part series of programs focused on planning for and communicating end-of-life wishes. The series titled “Planning Your Legacy" was a collaborative effort between the Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture Natural Resources agents. Topics included: “Passing on Personal Possessions: Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” (a curriculum from University of Minnesota Extension), “Wills, Legal Documents, and Probate Explained” (presented by a local lawyer with support materials from University of Kentucky Extension), and “What Every Spouse (and Family) Should Know” (with materials from University of Kentucky Extension, AARP, and Utah Extension). Each session allowed participants to think about the how to distribute titled and untitled property, the importance of having a valid will, durable power of attorney, and living will, and how to effectively communicate wishes and desires with loved ones. Worksheets and workbooks were provided to participants to help them and their loved ones plan for the future.

Forty-five adult men and women from the general public participated in one or more of the sessions. Individuals who completed the evaluations (collected immediately after the last session) yielded the following results:

100% Learned new information about what makes up an “estate”

90 Percent increased their level of understanding of what should be included in an Asset Distribution Plan

92 percent intend to create or update their will

85 percent will begin writing a Letter of Last Instructions

Planning for, and communicating about, one’s distribution of assets and final wishes can lead to decreased stress and better preparation by loved ones.  Communicating plans also increases family vitality. End-of-life discussions many never be easy but they will always be important.

The biggest takeaways participants expressed following the program included:

 “More documents are needed than I realized”

“I need professional help”

“I need to start planning”

“I realized I am further behind than I thought”

A 3 month follow up evaluation is planned as well as future “end of life” planning seminars.