Local attorney Cyrus Field is presenting a free Estate Planning Workshop at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 ,at the Lopez Island Library for people who want to learn more about creating or updating a will.

More than half of the people in the United States die without having written a will. Without a will, you leave no record of how you want your items distributed to your friends, family and favorite charities. Without a comprehensive estate plan, a judge may decide who gets your money, home and other assets instead of you.

But it’s not just about money, property and things. If you do not have a comprehensive estate plan, the care for yourself, a dependent spouse, child, parent, or pet may be made without any input from you and may be contrary to your actual wishes. In addition, it may result in your loved ones incurring unnecessary headaches and legal fees.

An estate plan that meets your current needs helps to ensure that your wishes regarding what is important to you are honored. Workshop participants will learn about making and updating a will, trusts, gift and estate tax issues, naming beneficiaries for life insurance and retirement accounts and the tax advantages of designating charities in your estate plans. They will also learn about surrogate decision making. This event is sponsored by Friends of the San Juans. For more information, call 360-378-2319.