Most Americans don’t have wills; new program offers free estate planning support – News Channel 5 Nashville

Nashville Initiative for Free Will Creation Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Contribution to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The city of Nashville has launched a new program offering will creation services at no cost to residents and workers, as announced by Mayor Freddie O’Connell. This initiative, facilitated by Nashville’s Financial Empowerment Center, directly addresses a significant gap in financial planning, as national statistics indicate approximately 70% of Americans do not have a will. By removing financial barriers to essential legal services, the program makes a direct contribution to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), ensuring that all citizens, regardless of income level, have access to tools for securing their assets and legacy.

• Target Audience: Residents and workers in Davidson County.
• Core Objective: To increase the prevalence of legacy planning and financial preparedness.
• SDG Alignment: The program promotes economic inclusion by providing equitable access to financial and legal instruments, thereby reducing inequalities.

Comprehensive Financial Planning and Support for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Economic Growth)

The service extends beyond simple will drafting to encompass a holistic approach to financial and legacy planning. According to Erin Akery, a senior manager at the Financial Empowerment Center, the program offers a comprehensive review of an individual’s financial situation to ensure their assets are managed according to their wishes. This proactive approach to asset protection is a key strategy in preventing families from falling into poverty following the death of a provider, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty).

1. Beneficiary Review: Counselors help clients confirm and update beneficiaries on retirement accounts, bank accounts, and life insurance policies.
2. Title and Deed Analysis: The service includes an examination of property titles and deeds to ensure a seamless transfer of ownership.
3. Debt Relief and Financial Counseling: The center integrates legacy planning with its broader mission of financial empowerment and debt management.

By fostering a financially literate and prepared workforce, the initiative also contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as financial stability is a cornerstone of a resilient local economy.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations and Advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

The program emphasizes the critical importance of a will in protecting the futures of vulnerable family members, particularly dependent children. A will is the primary legal instrument for parents to designate a guardian, thereby providing security and stability for their children. This aspect of the program is particularly relevant to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), as it empowers women, especially single mothers, to secure their children’s well-being.

• Guardian Designation: A will allows parents to legally appoint a guardian for minor children.
• Personal Autonomy: It ensures an individual’s wishes regarding their health and property are legally documented, preventing decisions from being made by the state or estranged relatives.
• Access to Justice: By providing this service for free, the city strengthens access to justice, a core tenet of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The Financial Empowerment Center acts as an inclusive and responsive public institution serving community needs.

Program Accessibility and Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

To ensure broad accessibility, the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center offers flexible options for appointments. This commitment to accessibility helps build a more financially resilient populace, which is fundamental to the creation of inclusive, safe, and sustainable communities as envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• In-person sessions
• Video consultations
• Phone appointments

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article discusses providing free financial planning, debt relief, and legacy planning. These services help build financial resilience, especially for low-income individuals and families. A lack of a will can lead to financial instability and asset loss for surviving family members, potentially pushing them into poverty. By providing these tools for free, the program helps mitigate economic shocks associated with a death in the family.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The program explicitly addresses inequality by offering services at “no cost.” Legal and financial planning services are often expensive, creating a barrier for those with lower incomes. This initiative reduces the inequality of access to essential services that protect family assets and ensure a person’s wishes are followed, promoting economic inclusion for all residents regardless of their financial status.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article’s theme. A will is a legal document that ensures a person’s wishes regarding their property and the guardianship of their children are legally protected. The program promotes the rule of law by facilitating the creation of these documents. By providing free access to this service, it directly supports the principle of “equal access to justice for all,” preventing potential legal disputes among family members and ensuring that state intervention in personal matters is minimized.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.4: “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to…control over land and other forms of property, inheritance…and financial services…”

   The program directly supports this target by helping people create wills and review deeds. A will is a primary legal instrument for controlling the inheritance and transfer of property and other assets, ensuring individuals can exercise their rights over their economic resources.

2. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of…economic or other status.”

   By making legacy planning and will creation services free, the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center is promoting the economic inclusion of residents who might otherwise be excluded due to cost. This empowers them to protect their families and assets, a crucial aspect of financial security and inclusion.

3. Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.”

   The article highlights that without a will, decisions about health and property are left to “the state or people who may not know you.” The free will program provides direct and equal access to a legal process (estate planning) that allows individuals to exercise their rights and prevent legal ambiguity and disputes, thereby upholding the rule of law and access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Baseline Indicator: The article states, “About 70% of Americans don’t have a will.” This national statistic serves as a crucial baseline indicator of the problem the program aims to solve. Progress in Nashville could be measured against a localized version of this indicator.
• Participation Rate: An implied indicator is the number of Nashville residents and workers who utilize the free will creation service. Tracking the number of appointments and successfully created wills would directly measure the program’s reach and impact on providing access to justice (Target 16.3) and financial services (Target 1.4).
• Proportion of Population with a Will: A key success indicator would be the change in the percentage of Davidson County residents who have a legally valid will. The program’s goal is to increase this proportion, thereby reducing the vulnerability of families and demonstrating progress towards building resilience (related to Target 1.5) and ensuring rights to inheritance (Target 1.4).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: newschannel5.com