Is a “Free Will” Free?

By D. Clay Perkins, Ph.D., Financial Planning Ministry

Free kittens. That’s what the sign said. But we all know what happens when we fall in love with that “free” kitten and take it home. What comes next is anything but free—food, litter, toys, a carrier for vet trips, vet bills. And then years of more food, more litter, more toys, and more vet trips.

So, was it really free? Very often, “free” ends up being quite expensive.

Is the same true for a “free” will?

You’ve seen the disclaimers on the websites of various for-profit companies: Thousands of families have used it. Millions will go to charity. It must be true, right? Surely, they wouldn’t call it free—especially for something as important as a legal document—if it wasn’t truly free… would they?

Savvy stewardship leaders need to know the details. God has called you to shepherd not only souls but also to guide them in the stewardship of His resources. You want the best options for your members and donors—and a “free” will sounds like a great deal.

The truth? It depends on your definition of free.

Not Free from Probate Costs

A will goes through probate in the vast majority of situations. Probate is the court-supervised process for distributing assets according to the will—and it’s not free. The total cost often reaches 5% or more of the estate’s value.

Sure, individuals won’t pay this while alive. But their loved ones will pay from the estate—hundreds, sometimes thousands—after they’re gone.

What about using beneficiary designations to avoid probate? Not so fast. Do your donors own a house? Many states don’t allow beneficiary deeds on real estate. Do they have minor children or grandchildren? Courts often appoint costly trustees to hold money for minors.

And when those same “free will” providers suggest a trust, the deed work can cost $300 or more per deed. That’s not free.

Not Free from Public Exposure

When a will goes through probate, it becomes public record. Ask yourself this: after you filed your taxes last year, did you make copies for all your friends and neighbors to read? Of course not. Why? Because it’s no one’s business.

Yet with a will, your entire life’s financial story becomes open for anyone to see. And there are people who look through these records with less-than-noble intentions—seeing exactly what your children or grandchildren inherited and using that information for their own gain.

Not Free from Delays

Probate takes time—often six months to two years, sometimes more.

During this process, assets are frozen. The court’s supervision ensures accuracy, but it also ensures slowness. For families already grieving, this delay can feel like a locked door at the very moment they need help the most.

Not Free from Missed Opportunities for Kingdom Impact

Yes, a will can include charitable gifts. But with a “free” will, there’s no personal guidance about biblical stewardship or Kingdom generosity.

Imagine your people not being able to talk to a real person.

The data is clear: when people fill out generic wills—even if they include beneficiary clauses—most leave nothing for the Kingdom. No conversation. No inspiration. No impact. No discipleship. Even worse, data shows that most never download their documents, much less sign them. So you end up with a list of vanishing free kittens.

Stewardship Leaders, Think Twice

As a stewardship leader, you may love the word free. Who doesn’t? But as you’ve heard before: if it sounds too good to be true… well, you know the rest.

That free kitten costs hundreds over its lifetime. That “free” will? It can cost your members time, money, privacy, and missed Kingdom impact. It can cost you reputation and future Kingdom funding. When you point families to a “free” will, you send them straight into probate court—no chance to skip the line, no chance to rewrite the story, no chance to talk to another believer.

They trusted you to guide them toward wise stewardship and a generous legacy. But without personal guidance, assumptions pile up—and assumptions bite, like an angry cat. So before recommending a “free” will, remember: free isn’t always free. Your integrity, your recommendations, and your leadership matter.

As stewardship pastors, you shape legacies. You guide biblical generosity. And sometimes, the best stewardship decision is helping people see the hidden cost behind the word free.

Shalom.

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About Financial Planning Ministry

Financial Planning Ministry (FPM) is a nonprofit partnership of national charities, dedicated to providing a clear path to sound biblical stewardship through customized estate planning.

To learn more about FPM or explore partnership opportunities, visit www.fpm.org or call toll-free (800) 871-4901.