The Elephant in the Room: COVID-19 and WILLS NOW

By Lynn McDowell, JD, CSPG Director of Planned Giving | Philanthropy Alberta Conference (403) 342-5044, ext. 233

WILLS NOW, The Conference’s new COVID-19 initiative, is providing quick connection with Adventist lawyers and no-cost wills

In my lifetime, there has never been a socially accepted time to bring up—do we dare say it—death. Funerals are occasions where we face it, but we really don’t want to talk or think about it, and the focus is on other things, like the life and good deeds of the loved one, the hope we have of meeting again. But in March, the unspoken agreement to not talk about possible imminent death changed.

Suddenly politicians were citing alarming statistics and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Deena Hinshaw, became a fashion icon as she delivered dire news of a lethal virus. Even young people—especially young people—began making will appointments in droves (see DID YOU KNOW box for poll statistics).

Given my personal experience in 2018 with family passing away in rapid succession (some without wills), I realized that one of the most practical things the Conference could do to prevent more stress and future pain for families facing COVID-19 was to help families by making well-drafted wills possible for any member who needs one. And so at the end of March in the face of COVID-19, the Conference announced WILLS NOW—a joint effort with Adventist lawyers Shelley Smith (Edmonton) and Loney Ziakris (Lacombe) to ensure every member has a proper will.

At no cost.

No joke. Especially not a lawyer joke.

How WILLS NOW Works

There has never been a requirement that members include the Conference as a beneficiary when working with me in the will process. I take instructions initially, but each will is independently drafted by a lawyer in private practice who directly interfaces with the member as their client. The lawyers charge $300 per couple, $200 per individual when members give their will instructions through the Planned Giving Director. Upon submitting proof of payment to the Director of Planned Giving (ie: a receipt), members can recover the entire cost of their wills from the Conference.

Why Free Wills Now?

Since 2013, Wills@Camp makes no-cost wills available at Foothills Camp during camp meeting. But how to care to an entire, far-flung Conference family facing an unprecedented life-threatening virus? When I called on Adventist lawyers and asked them whether they could reduce their fees for a time, without hesitation they lowered them to the Conference reimbursement rate.

At this writing, the statistics on members participating in WILLS NOW fits the trend seen by lawyers across Canada: a big increase among young couples. Many have young children that are driving their concern. And the feedback is positive: Because our faith is central to who we are, we are finding comfort in connecting and working with professionals who understand our faith and values. All WILLS NOW participants have expressed gratitude.

How Long will WILLS NOW Continue?

With camp meeting going virtual this year and COVID-19 uncertainty still in the air, the WILLS NOW team unanimously agreed to extend the initiative to the end of July.* Details on getting started can be clicked through from the Conference website landing page: albertaadventist.ca.

Death is never going to be an easy topic, but WILLS NOW is a chance to connect with an Adventist lawyer who understands where you’re coming from without cost being a concern. We’re here to help, no matter what’s in your pocket.

Getting Started

Will instructions must be given in an phone appointment with Lynn McDowell.

• Call by July 2 to arrange your appointment time (403) 342-5044 x 233.

• At albertaadventist.ca, click on “Wills Now” in the Conference landing page banner. This will take you directly to the Wills Now event page. There you will find more detail along with step by-step instructions and essential information.

• The Planned Giving page of the Conference website has several other useful resources in its “Wills” link including Wills for Changing Lives.

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent poll, almost 70% of Canadian lawyer respondents report that they’re getting a lot more or somewhat more estate planning business since the pandemic struck. Of those folks making a new will, 65% of the activity is being undertaken by individuals under 60 years of age.