1. Planned Giving Provides Needed Protection:

You have worked hard and long to take care and protect your family. By creating an effective estate plan, you can continue to protect your family long into the future.

2. Planned Giving Helps You Make Sure You Do What You Want.

You probably don’t think you have much of an estate. But if you have a house, you have an estate. Not to mention that watch collection, grandfather clock, art collection, or other items that you wish to pass down. A proper plan makes sure your wishes are accomplished.

3. Planned Giving Helps You Name Names.

Someone needs to take care of things after you die. You can name an executor who will carry out your wishes. If you die without a will the state will do this for you. They will appoint an executor Without a will, a court will appoint an administrator to do this job. You can also name a guardian for your minor children or adult children with special needs. There is no other way to appoint a guardian other than through your will. A will is the only place to nominate a guardian to care for your children. If you don’t have a will when you die and have minor children, the court appoints one for you. And don’t forget your pets. You can name a caretaker for your pet and even leave funds for their care.

4. Planned Giving Helps You Keep Track.

From appreciated Stock to IRAs, to insurance policies there is so much that can get lost in the shuffle. And it’s possible that your family might not know about some of these things. It gets very stressful when a loved one passes. It’s not a time for them to be trying to find all the assets, investments and documents you have.

5. Without proper planning, your estate could face many issues and hardships.

For example, in Illinois, if you die and don’t have a will, your estate will be split 50-50. Half of your estate would go to your spouse and the other half to the kids. So, your wife might not be able to sell the house because your kids can’t agree on what should happen to it.