Nearly 67% of Americans still don’t have an up-to-date will, because most people put off making their estate plans until much later in life, but that puts your heirs and assets at risk. National Estate Planning Awareness Week, or NEPAW, was founded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils in 2008 to help people understand what estate planning is and why it’s so important. An estate plan is a strategy to maintain the financial security of individuals throughout their lifetime and ensure the intended transfer of their property and assets upon passing.
Wouldn’t this be a great year to enter the holiday season knowing your family is protected and your wishes have been made clear? We want to raise awareness that estate planning does not have to be complicated or expensive even if you are including legacy gifts to charities, like Vitae, in your will or trust. Charitable gifts in an estate plan are often referred to as legacy gifts, because these gifts incorporate your beliefs and values into your comprehensive estate plan. You can help Vitae Foundation reach more women facing abortion decisions with life-affirming resources, all while ensuring your loved ones are provided for. It’s a win-win!
Planning for the future is essential if we want to continue our progress towards a culture that respects all life. As you make your own long-range plans, we hope you will consider how you can further Vitae Foundation’s mission by including a charitable gift in your will or other estate plans. The best part about estate gifts is that they don’t affect your day-to-day budget, allowing you to dream big when you consider your impact. Vitae offers LifeLegacy, to make online legacy gift tools available to our friends, which are easy-to-use and complimentary. Visit vitaefoundation.org/legacy-giving to explore these helpful tools. In the last three years, Vitae received just over $1 million in legacy estate gifts. In fact, a legacy gift, provided by her family, in memory of Judy Borst’s life-long commitment to pro-life issues brought about what is now called Vitae Vault, making Vitae’s research study findings and best practices available digitally to verified pregnancy centers, for free. To date, more than 430 pregnancy centers worldwide have accessed information using Vitae Vault.
If you’re unsure where to start, contact Virginia Shetler, Vitae’s Legacy Giving Director, for your complimentary copy of Planning for the Future, which summarizes many planned giving options. To request this resource contact virginia.shetler@vitaefoundation.org.
Looking for Advice?
Vitae maintains a directory of planned giving professionals including Estate Planning Attorneys, Accountants & CPAs, Insurance Professionals, Financial Advisors, Money Managers, and more. If you would like access to the directory or if you are a financial professional who would like to be included in the directory, please email legacygiving@vitaefoundation.org.
* The views expressed herein do not constitute, and should not be considered legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with your trusted advisor regarding your specific situation.