Including The ALS Association as part of your personal legacy by making a planned gift can feel like a big step. To address some of the concerns you might have, we’ve put together a question and answer session.
Q. I want to make a legacy gift to fight ALS, but I want to make sure my children and grandchildren are taken care of, too. Is there a way to do both? A. Yes. There are many ways you can provide for loved ones and for The ALS Association. You can make a bequest to us of a percentage of your estate or a specific dollar amount, leaving the rest to your loved ones. Another option is to make The Association a partial beneficiary of your retirement savings. There are also gifts that can provide a lifetime income for you or your loved ones and will support The ALS Association. Give us a call. We’re happy to help you determine the right approach for you.
Q. I’ve thought about including you in my will but I’m not sure my small gift will make a difference. A. Every gift makes a difference and is essential to our ability to continue to help people with ALS and their families. Whatever you can give is greatly appreciated.
Q. I’m reluctant to tell you that I’m including you in my living trust because I might change my mind. A. We understand that circumstances change. One of the advantages of leaving a bequest is that you remain in control during your lifetime and can change your beneficiaries at any time.
Q. I want to make a bequest to fight ALS, but my will is already written, and I don’t want to go to the expense of having it re-written. A. A codicil is a document that amends, rather than replaces, a previously executed will or living trust. It’s easy to do and costs relatively little. You can find a sample codicil on our website in the section on Bequests.
Q. What should I do next? A. Let us know if you need assistance or if you have already included the The ALS Association in your estate plans. We would like to say “thank you” and to welcome you into our Legacy Society, a group of individuals who have expressed their long-term commitment to fighting ALS by making a gift in their estate plans.
Please contact our office for more information about estate planning or making a legacy gift.
|