Estate planning workshop aims to bridge knowledge gap for Georgians:

By some estimates, close to 7 in 10 Georgians die without an estate plan, which can lead to significant legal issues and family disputes.

While these complications can often be avoided with basic estate planning education, many rural residents lack access to legal professionals and financial planners who can bridge the information gap.

To address the issue, University of Georgia Extension and Fort Valley State Extension are offering a free workshop, “Your Legacy, Your Plan,” on Sept. 25 to educate Georgia landowners on the benefits of creating an estate plan to protect their assets.

The workshop will cover estate planning essentials led by attorneys Gracy Barksdale and John Donsbach and includes a presentation by UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences faculty member Travis Mountain, assistant professor of Extension in financial planning.

“With 68% of Georgians lacking an estate plan, our work is far from over,” said Keishon Thomas, a Family and Consumer Sciences agent in Bibb County. “A significant number of residents, particularly in rural areas, do not have a will, advance healthcare directive or other essential planning documents. Many families only seek legal assistance after a crisis occurs, when options are limited and costs are higher. By offering workshops, we proactively provide residents with the knowledge they need to prepare for issues before they arise.”

The lack of estate planning contributes to the rise of heirs property – land passed down from family members without a clear title – that puts families at high risk of losing land and assets.

According to UGA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Georgia is home to an estimated 38,120 acres of heirs property valued at over $2 billion.

“Families often avoid talking about estate plans, which can result in confusion, mistrust and conflict,” Thomas said. “Many families also don’t have advance directives for healthcare for medical decisions or durable powers of attorney, leaving them unprepared to make decisions.”

Now in its fourth year, the workshop has helped 61 Georgians complete estate plans through estate planning education and technical assistance. The program is part of the Georgia Farmers Initiative for Training and Sustainability (GA-FITS), a collaborative effort between UGA and FVSU Extension.

The workshop will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of key estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance directives for healthcare.

Participants will practice creating a simple will and receive guidance on avoiding common mistakes and updating important documents after major life events.

“Death is an unavoidable reality, and what happens to your assets after you're gone is a crucial question every individual must face,” Mountain said. “Without a plan, a lifetime of hard work and accumulated wealth could be handed over to the state's discretion, potentially bypassing the people and causes you care about most.”

The workshop will be held at the Edward B. Pope Conference Center in Washington, Ga., from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Facilitators include Ida Jackson, a FACS Extension agent in Wilkes County, and Joshua Dawson from FVSU Extension. Lunch will be provided by the city of Washington.

To register, visit this link. Registration closes Sept. 22.

For more information, contact Thomas at (478) 310-5350 or thomaskj@uga.edu or Jackson at (706) 678-2332 or ida.jackson@uga.edu

Author, Cal Powell