Getting
Started: Your Will
The will is one of the most important documents you can own, yet
surveys show only 4 out of 10 Americans have current wills.
Define Your
Dreams Through Your Will
Nearly a quarter of Americans age 65 and above have not created a
will. Failure to adequately prepare can circumvent the best laid
plans.
Give
Your Will a New Look
It's unbelievable but true: More than half the adult population in
the United States does not have a will. But an outdated will
may be as bad as, or worse than, not having a will at all.
Good
Things Happen When You Make a Will
Are you putting off making your will—or updating an old will? You
are not alone. Many of us do just that.
Are
You Ready for Unpredictable Change?
Someone who dies without a will joins a legendary fraternity that
includes Abraham Lincoln, Pablo Picasso and Howard Hughes. But
there's nothing exclusive about this club—nearly half of all
individuals leave no will.
What
You Can Accomplish Through Your Will
The will is the most common estate planning tool for many
Americans. A properly drafted will is a legal document that should
specifically describe how and to whom your assets will be
transferred.
How
to Take Control of Your Legacy
You've heard (probably more times than you can count!) about how
important it is to have a last will and testament—and maybe you
already have one. But think for a moment about why.
Status
Check: Which of These Life Changes Affect You?
If a major change, like change of employment status, has happened
in your life over the last three years, consider this: probate
records show that more than half of all Americans die without a
will.
Your
Guide to Gift and Estate Planning
If you've put off writing your will or estate plan, you're not
alone. Let's face it, estate planning is a chore. But, like paying
bills or cleaning the house, it's a task that, once completed,
feels great.
It Pays
to Plan Ahead
Believe it or not, Americans who lived and worked in the United
States before 1913 didn't have to think about income tax. That's
because it didn't even begin until 1913.
Estate
Planning: Who Will Inherit Your Assets?
Estate planning is the process of deciding how to best transfer
your assets, during your lifetime as well as at death. Such
planning is critical; without it you could lose a sizable portion
of your estate to taxes.
Sharing Your
Estate Plans
Talking about the plans you've made for your own possible medical
care, the distribution of your estate, and even for your funeral,
burial or memorial service can be uncomfortable. But it can
also prevent unnecessary grief for your loved ones later.
Can
Your Estate Solve These Challenges?
Careful estate and financial planning can help you successfully
manage seemingly larger-than-life challenges. And you can do it in
a way that benefits you, your family and maybe even the world
around you.
For additional information on gift planning, contact Susan
Damiani, Director of Gift Planning, at (718) 990-7562 or e-mail damianis@stjohns.edu