UGA Extension, FVSU program helps families protect assets and preserve legacies

We spend years in school learning science, math, language arts and even physical education, yet one crucial life skill is often left out — preparing for our financial future.

In their later years, many people find themselves unprepared to manage the assets they’ve worked a lifetime to accumulate. Without a clear estate plan, families can face emotional turmoil, legal disputes and the potential loss of generational wealth.

Taking the time to create an estate plan is a critical step in protecting your assets and preventing unnecessary and unintentional hardship for loved ones in the case of unexpected incapacity or death.

Overcoming fears to establish security

To address this often-overlooked topic, a collaborative effort between the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Extension hosts workshops and one-on-one clinics designed to equip residents with the knowledge and resources they need to protect their assets and ensure a smoother transfer of land and property to future generations.

"One of the main reasons people avoid creating an estate plan is because they believe talking about death is a bad omen," said Keishon Thomas, UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent in Bibb County. "People fear that if they talk about or make plans regarding their mortality, it signals to others that they believe death is imminent."

Thomas, who has led the workshops for three years, said it is crucial to overcome this fear in order to make sound decisions to try to prevent legal disputes among family members, especially when emotions run high following a death. Navigating the complexities of estate planning can be particularly challenging in blended families or when family dynamics are strained, she added.

"Many times, people want to trust that everything will fall into place, or they simply leave everything to one person,” she explained. “But it becomes complicated if the next person in line becomes incapacitated or passes away, for example."

These educational programs aim to help residents avoid common pitfalls of heirs property, where unclear estate planning leaves assets vulnerable to fragmentation or legal entanglements.

The risks of unclear ownership

Heirs property — real estate or land passed down informally among family members — poses significant challenges for families. Without a clear title, heirs often struggle to sell, develop or transfer ownership of the property.

Under Georgia intestate succession laws, when someone dies without a will, their property is divided according to a fixed formula that doesn’t consider their personal wishes.

Heirs property issues disproportionately affect low- to moderate-income families, who often lack the resources or awareness needed to navigate estate planning, said UGA Extension's Ida Jackson, FACS agent in Bibb County and co-coordinator of the workshops.

“Our programs are designed to reach these families and older residents who might not otherwise have access to this crucial information,” she added.

Thomas has seen a growing number of workshop participants who are older adults with multiple heirs but no estate plan. They face a major challenge in tangled titles, cases in which unclear ownership prevents heirs from managing or using their inherited property. “Without clear title, heirs are often stuck — unable to make decisions or take action with their portion of the property,” Thomas explained. “It’s a complicated and uncomfortable issue that many avoid addressing, opting instead to try and figure it out on their own or simply do nothing.”

Thomas also noted that unresolved ownership disputes can drag on for years in court, with probate costs consuming a significant portion of the estate.

Workshops designed to educate and empower

To support Georgia residents in protecting their assets and preparing for the future, Thomas and Jackson facilitate workshops led by an attorney, covering the fundamentals of estate planning.

“We’ve designed these workshops to be as accessible as possible,” Jackson said. “It’s about empowering people with knowledge and giving them the confidence to take that next step in protecting their property.”

The workshops incorporate real-world scenarios and actionable tips, helping attendees apply estate planning directly to their lives. Participants practice drafting a simple will, learn how to avoid common mistakes, and receive guidance on updating documents after major life events, such as births, deaths or other family transitions.

“That’s another common area of oversight for many of our participants,” said Thomas. “It’s really important to update insurance policies and beneficiaries after major life events — especially when there are changes in the family dynamic.”

The role of insurance in financial security

Recognizing the need for additional clarity, Thomas, Jackson, and their collaborators from FVSU Extension will host a webinar on April 10, focusing on insurance education as an integral part of financial planning. Many clients, they’ve observed, lack a comprehensive understanding of how insurance fits into their overall estate plan.

“We view this as an offshoot of estate planning,” said Thomas. “By addressing this area, we aim to help people better understand how insurance can protect their assets and support them in making necessary adjustments throughout life.”

The upcoming webinar will cover critical topics including:

• Life insurance: Covering types of coverage, when to update policies, retirement considerations, and the differences between whole and term life insurance
• Property insurance: Understanding flood insurance, determining adequate coverage, addressing natural disasters, and knowing when to update policies, especially regarding premiums and coverage families can afford

Personalized guidance helps residents secure family legacies

For those seeking further guidance, the program also offers one-on-one sessions for participants who have attended a workshop, whether in person or online. These personalized sessions, often held in the evenings, are led by an attorney and focus on the three key elements of an estate plan: a last will and testament, power of attorney for making financial decisions, and an advanced healthcare directive for medical decisions.

“I recognize there’s a general discomfort with discussing death and finances,” Thomas said. “But every person we reach is one more family better prepared for the future. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness those ‘aha’ moments, even via Zoom, when everything clicks. By taking these steps, families not only protect their assets but preserve their legacy and set up the next generation for success.”

To learn more about the workshops and registration details, contact Ida Jackson at ida.jackson@uga.edu. 

This story was written by Emily Cabrera with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.