Charitable Giving

Another important aspect of estate planning is using that plan creates a legacy by benefiting charitable organizations and educational institutions.

High wealth clients can reap significant tax benefits from setting up charitable lead trusts or charitable remainder trusts, but even a revocable living trust can include beneficiary designations to ensure that trusts assets can be used to benefit those non-profit organizations of your choosing.

Here is a list of charitable organizations to consider as potential beneficiaries to your estate plan:

• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• American Red Cross
• Autism Speaks
• Boy Scouts of America
• Doctors Without Borders
• Girl Scouts USA
• Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
• Make a Wish Foundation of America
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• Wilson Disease Association

In addition, the  American Institute of Philanthropy provides information about charitable organizations.