Is Your House In Order?
Written by Bart McDonald
According to a 2025 survey by Trust and Will, only about 24% to 32% of American adults have an up-to-date will. Last year they estimated a staggering 67% of Americans who passed did so without a will or estate plan, leaving their assets tied up in court, subject to state intestacy laws. This often creates unintended financial and emotional burdens for families. Probate, the legal process of administering an estate, can easily take a matter of months to several years and consume on average 3% to 7% of a typical estate’s value in legal and administrative fees. Delays, expenses, public records, and family disputes are all potential challenges that could easily be prevented through proper planning.
The Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation was formed to assist churches and their congregants by providing training and resources to help individuals create a legacy in the stewardship of blessings God entrusts to their care. Through partnerships with FreeWill and PhilanthroCorp, free legacy documents and professional estate consultations are offered to explore how best to care for your family, how to avoid probate, how to minimize taxation, and how to make a kingdom impact through your estate plan. For most people, a well-designed estate gift will represent their single largest gift of a lifetime.
These resources, as well as the Foundation’s “House in Order” seminars, where we educate individuals on basic estate planning issues, are supplied at no cost. For those who have kingdom impact in mind, the Foundation covers a portion of the legal fees if trusts and other more advanced estate planning documentation are needed. The Foundation’s relationships with Christian lawyers and their willingness to document estates at greatly reduced costs represent our attempt to remove obstacles on addressing this critical need in responsible preparation. If you or your church would like more information, or would like to schedule a House In Order event, contact Bart McDonald at 682-347-4900 or bmcdonald@sbtexasfoundation.com.
