Leaving money to a charity in your will
Including philanthropy in your estate plan requires asking yourself a few key questions.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Many people want their wealth to help sustain an organization or advance a cause they care about. When considering philanthropy in your estate plan, think about whether you want to focus on one organization or issue or if you want to support multiple organizations or issues that reflect a broader vision for your legacy.
你想什么时候开始给予?
You can include philanthropy in your estate plan by building a 将指令写入遗嘱 to donate a specific amount of money to a particular organization. But you don't have to wait until you die to begin transferring those funds. You can also start giving directly while you are still alive by gifting directly to a charitable organization or by setting up a charitable trust.
你考虑过信托吗?
Depending on the size of your endowment, you might want to consider 建立信任 to maintain some control over how the funds are used. 例如，您可以创建一个 可撤销的 or 不可撤销的信任 and name an organization as a beneficiary — along with any other recipients you choose. You can also set up a charitable trust that lets you make charitable payments to a qualifying organization during your lifetime. How you transfer assets to a charitable organization can affect your personal and estate taxes, so be sure to consult with an estate planning or tax professional when developing your plans.
Have you shared your plans with your family?
Talk to your heirs about your vision for your legacy so they are not surprised by the directions you leave in your will — particularly if it involves leaving bequests to charities. Letting them know your plans in advance can help them avoid confusion down the road and potential conflicts among your beneficiaries.
