Estate & Planned Giving Guidance

Nine Easy Ways to Build a Strong Estate Plan

Taking the time to create an estate plan can help you decide how to distribute the hard-earned resources you have accumulated throughout your lifetime. Follow this framework to build a plan that achieves your personal and charitable goals and recognizes the people and causes you cherish most.

You have worked your whole life to accumulate your assets. While estate planning is often associated with the wealth, in reality anyone who wants to pass on their assets to their loved ones and favorite charities needs to think about their plan.

Determine which people and charities should receive your assets and whether the gifts should be made outright or in a trust. Contact us to learn about the variety of ways to include HHE in your estate plan.
Select a trusted family member, friend or responsible party (such as a bank or trust company) to administer your estate, which includes following the instructions in your will and distributing assets.
Prepare an advanced directive (also know as a heath care power of attorney) to indicate who should make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. YOu should also decide of you want a living will, which directs that no extraordinary life-sustain medical procedures will be used to prolong life when there is no hope of recovery.
Outline your funeral plans, include the names of people you want to be notified after your passing.
Calculate your net worth and list all of your financial assets, including bank account numbers, insurance policies and retirement plan assets.
Compile a list of all of your personal data, including Social Security number, date of birth and digital information, such as online accounts, usernames and passwords.
Record the locations of important documents, such as your vehicle title, marriage certificate, copies of prior years' tax return, as well as the name of your accountant and estate planning attorney.
Ensure that your will is available outside of your safe deposit box, which in some states can be close when you die and not immediately accessible.
Consult an estate planning attorney or tax advisor for assistance as you develop your plan.

If you are interested in supporting Hindu Heritage Endowment with a tax-wise gift this year or through your estate, please contact us. We can help find the right gift for you.