Sometimes we are not often able to donate to important charitable causes as much during our lives as we might like to. Leaving a gift as part of your Estate Plan is a great way to support the important work your favorite non-profit organization will continue to do in your memory and your gift no matter what the amount will be most graciously accepted.
Now that you have decided to make this meaningful impact, the first step is deciding which cause or set of causes will benefit from your donation. If you have a history of volunteer work or charitable giving, this may be an easy decision. But regardless of your charitable history, think about certain factors that will help narrow your focus of giving: For example, what issues in your community concern you? What concerns you about future generations? How would you like to be remembered?
As with any portion of estate planning, it is important to do your research and ask questions so your intentions are clear. It is also highly recommended to fully investigate the reputation of the charity you wish to make your contribution to. Ensure that the charity you wish to donate to uses their assets wisely and that your donation is actually applied to charitable purposes instead of administration costs.
If you are inclined to make a charitable donation in your Estate Plan, it is always smart to discuss your intentions with an Estate Planning Attorney to ensure your wishes are fully thought-out, appropriately documented, that your plan does not cause a Probate where there might not have been one [there are many ways to avoid this issue], and to ensure that the gift is mutually beneficial from a tax perspective.
