Planned Giving

A Will: The Basics and Beyond

Getting Started: Your Will
At your death, a will serves as a road map telling your personal representative how to distribute your assets to other people or to a charitable organization. Without a will, you are powerless over how your assets are distributed. Instead, the laws of the state where your residence is, the state in which you spend most of your time, register to vote and hold your driver's license, determine how assets are divided. More

Define Your Dreams Through Your Will
We hope that you are not part of the nearly 25 percent of Americans age 65 and above that have not yet created wills. Failure to prepare can hurt yourself and your family, as well as organizations that are important to you. More

If Your Will Were Read Today...Would Your Intentions Be Clear and Up to Date?
If you died today, would you be comfortable knowing that you had accumulated and conserved your assets as you had planned? And would your will, the way you have planned to distribute those assets, do what you had intended? More

Good Things Happen When You Make a Will
Are you putting off making your will—or updating an old will? You are not alone. Many of us do just that. More

Are You Ready for Unpredictable Change?
Someone who dies without a will joins a legendary fraternity that includes Abraham Lincoln, Pablo Picasso and Howard Hughes. But there's nothing exclusive about this club—nearly half of all individuals leave no will. And of those who do have a will, it may not even reflect their most recent wishes. More

How to Take Control of Your Legacy
Are you looking for a way to benefit loved ones and maybe a favorite charitable organization, like us, after your death? Take a look at all the possible ways to leave your legacy through your will. More

Status Check: Which of These Life Changes Affect You?
Have you experienced changes in your life but not changed your will to reflect those changes? Find out more about circumstances that affect your will and what you may need or want to change. More

Your Guide to Gift and Estate Planning
Estate planning doesn't have to be a chore if you follow this easy and gradual plan. More

It Pays to Plan Ahead
If you worry about taxes, your estate and your heirs, estate planning strategies can soothe your soul. Read about some basics on how to get started and how to take care of yourself and your loved ones. More

Estate Planning: Who Will Inherit Your Assets?
Estate planning is the process of deciding how to best transfer your assets, during your lifetime as well as at death. Such planning is critical; without it you could lose a sizable portion of your estate to taxes. More

Sharing Your Estate Plans
Talking with loved ones about your estate planning documents relieves them of the burden of making decisions at what will be a trying time in their lives. More

Can Your Estate Solve These Challenges?
Careful estate and financial planning can help you solve the challenges of paying for your child's education, caring for your aging parents, securing your financial future and helping your grandchildren. More

New State? Different Will?
You have recently changed your state of residence. Perhaps the move marks a career advancement or maybe it has been your retirement dream to relocate. Besides getting new license plates and transferring your prescriptions, it is a good idea to have an attorney review your will. More