Estate Planning & Will Preparation

The Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee Foundation allows us to provide a service of will and estate planning to our school families, alumni, and friends of our schools.

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Wills and trusts (an estate plan) are a collection of documents that specify how you want your money and other assets distributed after your death, making it easier for your loved ones to handle your affairs during a time of grief.

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Only 42% of U.S. adults have estate planning documents like a will or a living trust. For those with children under 18, the figure is even lower, with just 36% having an end-of-life plan. Do you need a will or trust and don’t know where to start? The LHSAGM is committed to helping families, and individuals navigate the estate planning process and complete a will or a living trust.

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Why is it good to have a will or a trust?

• You decide who in your family will receive your assets. Otherwise, the court can give them to other family members whom you may not want to receive anything.

• If you have children under the age of 18, it protects them from being placed in the wrong guardianship through the court decision. 

• It stops beneficiaries from overpaying in taxes. With just a little planning, you can reduce much or even all of your federal and state or inheritance taxes with your estate.

• It eliminates the stress of decisions on family members, which can cause rifts.

• If you would like to leave a legacy by starting a restricted fund with a charitable organization, including them in an estate plan is a perfect way to do this.

The bottom line

Simply put, if you want your assets and your loved ones protected when you no longer can do it, you will need a will or a trust. Without one, your loved ones could face huge tax burdens, and the courts could designate how your assets are divided or even who gets your children.

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To get started on creating or revising your will, please fill out this short survey, or contact us at estateplanning@lhsagm.org or 414.421.9100 for assistance at no cost to you.