The Clarkson Workbook series includes five 6″ x 9″ booklets of 20 pages each. Topics range from creating or updating your will to the intricacies of using non-cash assets to make and plan charitable gifts. The workbook series is sponsored by the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
Estate Planning Organizer
Gift Planning with Non-cash Assets
Personal Affairs Organizer
Philanthropic Planner
Will a Gift-with-income Plan Work for Me?
Estate Planning Organizer
Every adult benefits from an estate plan that may include the following:
- Health Care Proxy — appointing someone to communicate health care decisions if you become incapacitated.
- Living Will — your wishes regarding end-of-life decision-making, followed by the person appointed in your health care proxy.
- Power of Attorney — you appoint someone to act in your behalf regarding financial and property matters.
- Will — directs the distribution of assets you own at your death.
- Living Trust — a will substitute directing the distribution of assets in the living trust. (In New York State, it would be coupled with a pour-over will to “catch” assets remaining outside of the trust.)
- Beneficiary designations — written contractual obligations between a financial institution and an owner of an asset to document the owner’s intent as to what persons or charities will receive the asset after the owner’s lifetime. (Used for insurance policies, annuities, IRAs and other retirement savings plans such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans.)
- Re-titling of Assets — cross-referencing the legal ownership of assets with one’s estate planning and tax planning.
Create two lists before making an appointment with your estate planning attorney. On one list, name the family, friends and charities you want to benefit. On the second list, itemize your assets, how they are currently titled and which ones have beneficiary designations. The Clarkson Estate Planning Organizer is an excellent tool for creating your lists and outlining your priorities before meeting with your advisors. Request a copy of the Organizer, compliments of the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
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Gift Planning with Non-cash Assets
What is “Gift Planning,” and what are “Non-Cash Assets”?
Gift planning is considering the impact of your charitable gifts within your short and long term personal and financial goals and your estate plan. Non-cash assets include almost any tangible and intangible items of value other than cash and publicly-traded securities.
Careful planning can help you achieve both your financial and philanthropic goals. In the right circumstances, you may accomplish more for yourself and charity by gifting non-cash assets such as real estate and life insurance rather than cash or publicly traded securities. For example, naming Clarkson as a remainder beneficiary on your retirement plan and leaving other assets to heirs may avoid double or even triple taxation to loved ones. The scenarios in this workbook can help you meet your financial and philanthropic goals in ways you never thought possible, and they just might help you generate your own creative ideas. Request a copy of Gift Planning with Non-Cash Assets, compliments of the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
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Personal Affairs Organizer
When a loved one passes away, a great burden is placed on surviving family members who may need to make many decisions at a difficult time. To help ease this burden on your loved ones, you can document important information to share with them, and to ensure that your final wishes are known. The Personal Affairs Organizer will help you document your history, legal arrangements, instructions for your funeral and other preparations that you have made.
This workbook is for you and those who will survive you. No one likes to dwell on their own passing or the passing of a loved one, but a little planning can give you the peace of mind that you will provide comfort to your survivors at a very difficult and emotional time. Consider using this workbook to begin a discussion with loved ones about your final wishes and then let them know where you will keep it. In this way you can retain some control and provide help to loved ones as well. Request a copy of the Personal Affairs Organizer, compliments of the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
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Philanthropic Planner
We are all philanthropists.
Americans are very generous. Since our country’s founding we have been admired worldwide for our ability to solve problems through the collective gifts of our time, our knowledge and our personal resources. Americans give billions of dollars to charity each year. While it is ingrained in our cultural nature to be generous, that profound urge to help can lead to frustration as well. With well over 1 million registered non-profits in the United States today, how can we as individuals make a difference without feeling guilty and inadequate?
The best way is to be an educated philanthropist. You don’t need to be rich, but you do need to define your goals, determine the extent of your interests and abilities, and maximize the impact of your resources. And then add in the secret ingredient: time. Philanthropy is a lifelong journey that returns immense satisfaction as you make a difference in the lives of others.
How effective is your philanthropy? Making the most of your giving and volunteering is worth some reflection. The Clarkson Philanthropic Planner can help you better define your philanthropy, craft your own mission statement and create your own philanthropic plan. It also includes a glossary of terms and an outline of charitable planning suggestions. Request a copy of the Planner, compliments of the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
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Will a Gift-with-income Plan Work for Me?
What is a “gift-with-income” plan? In its simplest form:
- A donor makes a charitable gift to a “plan,” such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable trust.
- The “plan” makes income payments back to the donor and/or someone else, usually for life.
- When the last income beneficiary dies, the remainder in the “plan” goes to Clarkson.
But what is the difference between a charitable gift annuity and a charitable trust? And where does the pooled income fund fit in? What questions should you consider before creating a plan? Is it complicated? What should you expect after you create your plan?
There are many questions to be answered before creating a gift-with-income plan. Our workbook, Will a Gift-With-Income Plan Work for Me? will guide you through the plans, the questions you should consider before creating a plan, the process to create a plan and what to expect after your plan is created. Request a copy of Will a Gift-With-Income Plan Work for Me? compliments of the Clarkson University Alumni Leadership Board.
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This web page does not provide legal or financial advice, nor is it a comprehensive review of the topic. You should consult your legal and financial advisors and Clarkson University before making or planning your gift.