Dear John

We’ve been blown away by how our performing arts community has taken care of each other this year, through hurdles we never thought we’d face. And since this week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week (NEPAW), The Actors Fund is here to lend a helping hand as you take care of your loved ones in the future.

From October 19 through 25, NEPAW gives you the opportunity to find peace of mind in making a plan for the people, communities and causes you love through a legal will. And with our friends at FreeWill, you can now create your plan at no cost, and even use this document as an opportunity to create your arts legacy.

Before you create your free plan, we want to address some of the common misconceptions about estate planning that may be running through your mind:

1. But I don’t have an estate! You don’t need to own a villa in France to need an estate plan. It’s important to have a plan for the things that matter to you—like who might take care of a pet, or who you want to get your favorite painting or family heirloom.
    
2. I’m too young to make a will. Actually, whether you’re eighteen or eighty, a will is an incredible expression of love for the people and causes you care about, and you don’t want to be stuck without one.
    
3. How can this help the performing arts community? Your will is a powerful way to ensure that the causes you supported in life continue to get the resources they need for generations to come. If you are interested and able to include The Actors Fund in your will, you are ensuring that musicians, actors, dancers, stage managers, production crews and more get the resources they need no matter what the future brings. Whatever you decide, this service is available to you from FreeWill and The Actors Fund absolutely free!

This National Estate Planning Awareness Week, take 20 minutes to cross this important item off your to-do list.