August Is National Make-A-Will Month: Here's Why Central Iowa Families Should Pay Attention

Every August, National Make-A-Will Month rolls around to remind Americans of an uncomfortable statistic: most people still don't have a will. If you've been meaning to write one — or update one you signed years ago — this is a good nudge to finally do it.
 
Why This Month Exists
 
National Make-A-Will Month isn't a government holiday or a legal deadline. It's an awareness campaign, and it exists because the numbers are stubborn. Roughly two-thirds of American adults don't have a current will, according to recent industry surveys. People put it off for the same reasons every year — it feels unpleasant, it feels premature, or it simply falls off the to-do list. August is simply a designated moment to stop putting it off.
 
What a Will Actually Does for Your Family
 
A will is a legal document that takes effect when you die. In it, you name an executor (called a personal representative under Iowa law) to handle your affairs, direct how your property should be distributed, and — if you have minor children — name a guardian to raise them.
 
Without a will, Iowa's intestacy laws decide who inherits your property, following a fixed order set by statute rather than your personal wishes. If you have young children, a court decides who raises them if something happens to both parents, rather than the person you would have chosen. A will puts those decisions back in your hands.
 
"I'll Get to It Eventually" Is a Risk, Not a Plan
 
The people who put off writing a will usually fall into one of two camps: they think they don't have enough assets to bother, or they assume their spouse or kids will simply "figure it out." Neither assumption holds up well in practice.
 
You don't need significant wealth for a will to matter — you need people who depend on you. A modest estate without a will can still mean months of unnecessary court involvement, family disagreements over who gets what, and confusion at exactly the moment your family needs clarity. And "figuring it out" without a will often means navigating a probate process that's slower and more complicated than it needed to be.
 
If You Already Have a Will, This Is a Good Month to Check It
 
Make-A-Will Month isn't just for people starting from zero. If your will is more than a few years old, ask yourself:
 
Has your family changed — a marriage, divorce, birth, or death — since you signed it? Have you moved, bought property, or changed jobs? Is the executor you named still the right person, and still willing and able to serve? Does your will still reflect what you'd actually want today?
 
An outdated will is better than no will, but it can still send your assets, or your children's care, somewhere you never intended.
 
What This Means for You: A Quick Checklist
 
Before August ends, take stock of where you stand:
 
- Do you have a signed, current will?
- Does it name a guardian for any minor children?
- Is your named executor still the right choice?
- Has anything major changed in your life since you signed it?
- Does your family know where the original is kept?
 
If you can't check every box, that's not a reason to feel behind — it's just the next thing to take care of.
 
Let's Get Your Will in Place
 
You don't need a complicated estate or a special occasion to write a will — you just need people you want to protect, and August is as good a reminder as any. At Smith Law Firm in Ames, we help central Iowa families put a clear, affordable will in place, or review one that's been sitting in a drawer for too long.
 
If you'd like to create your will or have your current one reviewed this month, reach out to schedule a consultation. Visit www.shawnsmithlaw.com or call our office at (515) 451-1260  or text 515-349-5684
 
*This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, please consult a licensed Iowa attorney.*