Casey Schroder, our Assoc. Vice President of Foundation & Gift Planning, works everyday with families who want to build their legacy. Yet, when her father’s health took an unexpected turn, all she could think about was her dad.
“I just wanted to be there for him,” she shared. “But the paperwork can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a plan in place.”
Thankfully, Casey’s mother DID have a plan. As a lifelong planner, Casey’s mother had already prepared and updated his will, healthcare documents and power of attorney. “We did not have to guess about his health care or what he wanted. Instead, I could focus my time and energy on my dad. My mother gave me precious moments I’ll never get back. I’m grateful.”
At CHS, we often walk alongside families experiencing unthinkable hardships, witnessing firsthand moments when a plan could have made a difference.
It’s easy to assume that making a will is something to think about “later.” Especially if you’re healthy, active, and busy with life. But after facing her father’s illness, Casey realized “later” could come at any time—and that waiting only makes things harder for the people we love.
“I thought making a will would be complicated and expensive,” Casey said. “But CHS has partnered with FreeWill to make writing a will, along with other planning documents fast and simple, I realized it’s really just about making decisions in advance, so your family doesn’t have to make them in a hurry or in the midst of grief.”
Her experience changed the way she talks with friends, family, and CHS supporters about future planning. “Now I can share my own story, not just my work.
I can say, ‘My family did this, and it wasn’t scary. And it’s worth every bit of peace of mind it brings.’”
Why We’re Talking About This at CHS
At CHS, our mission is to build bridges to success for children—through early childhood education, mental health counseling, community partnership schools, mentoring, and workforce development.
Part of building those bridges means helping families think ahead—so children are cared for, even when life takes unexpected turns.
Make-A-Will Month is the perfect time to pause, take stock, and make sure the people and causes you care about are protected.
Make Your Will
The Myths and Realities of Making a Will
You and many others are not alone in believing a few common myths about wills. We hear them all the time—and they often keep many from taking an important step in securing their family’s future.
Why It Matters for Families
Casey’s work at CHS has shown her that planning ahead spares loved ones unnecessary hardship.
“I’ve seen families spend weeks sorting through paperwork and trying to make decisions when they’re grieving,” she said. “Even when families are close, uncertainty can cause stress—or worse, conflict. Having a will doesn’t remove the sadness, but it removes the guesswork.”
- For families with children, a will can be the difference between a smooth transition of care and a long, difficult court process. Naming a guardian in your will is one of the most important decisions you can make—because it ensures your children are raised by someone you trust, according to your values.
- And for families without children, a will still matters. It gives you the chance to make sure your belongings—whether that’s a house, a family heirloom, or a beloved pet—go to the people and organizations you choose.
Including Causes You Care About in Your Will
For many, a will isn’t just about protecting family—it’s also about leaving your personal footprint in the world—your legacy.
Some CHS supporters choose to include a gift in their will to support children across Florida. These “future gifts” help ensure CHS can continue building bridges to success for generations to come.
Casey said that once she saw how simple it was to include a charitable gift, her passion for gift planning grew.
“For many families I work with, it feels right. Once their family is taken care of, I love showing them how their hopes and dreams for our children can come true. They can continue to make a difference for the children and families we serve at CHS.”
You don’t have to be wealthy to make this kind of impact. Even including a small percentage in your will can help create safe, supportive, and opportunity-filled futures for children.
How to Get Started Making a Will
Making a will may feel intimidating, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable:
- List your assets and wishes. Include property, accounts, belongings, and any special instructions for your care or your children’s care.
- Choose your decision-makers. Name a personal representative (the person who will carry out your wishes) and, if applicable, a guardian for your children.
- Decide on charitable giving. Consider whether you want to leave a gift to an organization you care about.
- Create the legal document. You can work with an attorney or use a reputable online service, like FreeWill, to make sure it meets your state’s requirements.
- Communicate your plan. Let your personal representative and family know where to find your will. Share any future gifts with the receiving nonprofit.
Create a will for free on FreeWill
Casey’s Advice to Others
“I used to think of a will as a ‘someday’ project,” Casey said. “Now I tell people: don’t wait. It’s not about expecting the worst—it’s about loving your family enough to make things easier for them.”
From her perspective, the hardest part isn’t writing the document—it’s starting the conversation.
“It’s not exactly light dinner talk,” she laughed, “but once you bring it up, you’ll be surprised at how relieved people are to have it out in the open.”
You Can Start Today
Whether you’re 25, 95, or anywhere in between, making a will is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love.
It’s not just paperwork—it’s a way of saying, I want to make things as clear and simple as possible for you.
If you’re ready to make a will now, you can take advantage of our partnership with FreeWill, to create a will in as little as 20 minutes.
You can also learn more about how you can include a gift to CHS by visiting our Ways To Give page or contact Casey Schroder at Casey.Schroder@chsfl.org.
As Casey would say:
