The Pike County Extension Office is offering a free program on estate planning and end-of-life issues tonight at Cattleman Park. The program will be from 6 until 9 p.m. and dinner will be included.

Heath Wesley, Pike County Extension coordinator, said response to the program has been outstanding with more than 80 people registered.

“There is a lot of interest in estate planning and people have continued to call,” Wesley said. “So, we will still register people today. This is a very informative program and will be beneficial to all of those who attend.  We want to make it available.”

To register for the estate planning and end-of-life issues program, call the Pike County Extension Office at 334-566-0985.

Wesley said a large number of Americans die without a will or an advance health directive.

“Many people believe that their property will automatically pass on to their heirs without complications,” he said. “Some people just never get around to making legal arrangements to protect their survivors.”

Wesley said a couple of other misconceptions are that estate planning is not important for younger parents or that their heirs will not be affected by tax liabilities due to their estate size.

Wesley said information will be presented that will be beneficial in helping recognize the legal documents that are essential in estate planning.

Participants in the program will learn how to prepare a plan to protect, distribute and transfer their assets.”

Wesley said the Pike County Extension Office is excited to offer this free estate planning program to the citizens of the Pike County area. Dinner will be provided courtesy of Troy Bank and Trust and First National Bank of Brundidge.