Why consider planned giving?

People often think planned giving is only for the rich. It is especially important for those with large investment portfolios, but it's also a helpful tool for anyone with taxable assets. Planned giving, or estate planning, helps you determine the most appropriate ways to address your heirs' important needs while still reflecting your personal wishes. By thoughtful will and trust arrangements, you can benefit those who mean the most to you—including the charitable causes you support.

Many people underestimate their assets and assume that there's no need to do estate planning. Perhaps they think they don't have enough to be taxed, anyway. A person's worldly possessions include not just money, stocks and bonds. Equity in a home, personal and group life insurance, deferred employee benefits, the value of a business, real estate investment—these and other tangible possessions require careful handling and disposition. Beyond all this, however, is the simple fact that estate planning helps you accomplish both financial and charitable goals. It allows supporters of modest means to make a substantial gift while protecting themselves and their families.