Giving
Your Estate Plan Might Be Missing Something
If you are taking another look at your existing estate plan, or just starting your planning journey, be sure the following items—in addition to a will—are included to make things easier for you and your loved ones.
Be Sure You Have:
- A high-level overview that lays out the basics of your finances and plan. Include:
- Where to find your will and other documents, and who the key people are—your powers of attorney agents, executors or personal representatives.
- Financial assets (where accounts are held and who owns them).
- Insurance coverage (property/casualty, health, life).
- Property and vehicle information.
- Regular household bills that you pay.
- A detailed description of your finances (account numbers, contacts at financial institutions, etc.).
- A personal property memorandum that is often referenced by your will and states how you want property distributed and/or sold. This allows you to assign sentimental or valuable assets to specific people without having to change your will if you change your mind.
- A plan for your pets to ensure that your furry friends are taken care of. A legally binding pet trust can be created, or you can make provisions in your will for how you want your pets cared for in your absence.
- Your digital estate plan, which includes online account details.
- Advance directives, powers of attorney and other end-of-life planning tools to communicate your basic wishes. Add personal messages and detailed plans for your funeral, memorial and other specifics.
- An ethical will, which is your opportunity to hand down your values in a document or video. Think of it as a personal record of your life—how you have lived it and how you want to inspire others.
No Estate Plan? Start Here
Estate planning is a highly personal process of deciding how your assets will be distributed after you are gone. Consider these questions first, then meet with your estate planning attorney to begin putting your wishes into place.
- Who will receive your home? Car? Stocks? Jewelry?
- Who will take care of your children if they are not yet of legal age?
- Do you have relatives, even children, who should not receive assets?
- Are there charities you would like to benefit from your estate?
Explore Your Legacy at MSM
Wherever you are in the process, your estate plan is a powerful way to show your love. Please contact Susan Madden at 917-493-4115 or smadden@msmnyc.edu to learn more about including MSM in your future plans.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance. A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 130 Claremont Ave., New York, NY 10027. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.