Estate and Charitable Planning

Creating your legacy and leaving your mark.

One of the greatest rewards of wealth is being able to share it with others. You've taken care of your own needs and wants, but it takes prudence and planning to help make sure the distribution of your assets benefits you, your loved ones, and the causes you care about. We have the resources to customize a plan that not only helps protect your assets but also helps you share your wealth with the people and charities you care about most.

Strengthen Your Legacy: Who needs an estate plan? The short answer is everyone. But creating a legacy that reflects your whole life – who you are and what you've accomplished – doesn't have to be a morbid task. It can be life-affirming to preserve your family values and ensure your assets go to those closest to you and in accordance with your wishes. And perhaps the most vital aspect of estate planning is communicating your wishes with your loved ones and making sure they are thoroughly and accurately documented.

Protect Your Legacy: Establishing a trust within your overall estate plan provides the certainty and control over all you've worked for and accumulated during your lifetime, regardless of asset level. Trusts give you the confidence of knowing what will happen to your estate, can potentially exclude probate, a lengthy and expensive process, and can avoid the judicial appointment of a guardian or conservator in the event of incapacity. Some provide for long-term care or education for children or grandchildren; while others can provide for a favorite charity. We can work with you to ensure your wishes are communicated, in writing and legally binding. Beyond that, we'll revisit your plan regularly to ensure it is up to date.

Make Your Mark: Making charitable giving part of your financial and estate plan can allow you to support the charities and causes you love now and in the future. There are many ways you can make charitable giving part of your overall financial plan, each with its own level of control and tax benefits. Some options provide immediate or future tax deductions while others can provide a continuous income stream. We can work with you to provide recommendations that not only benefit you now but provide the opportunity to shape the way you wish to be remembered.

A basic understanding of estate planning can help you protect your assets, take care of the people who are important to you, potentially reduce taxes, and avoid common mistakes.

We have the resources to customize a plan that not only protects your assets, but also helps you coordinate these areas: