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.