The Man Who Died Without A Will

A picture of scales and a judge's gavel, to illustrate a PlannedGiving.Com post about dying without a will.

Thousands of other Americans don’t have a will. Meet with an estate planning attorney, or use our LegacyPlanner™ for free to create a simple, legal will that’s valid in all 50 states.

Getting It All Together: Making Your Will

Happy Couple Making A Will Together

Making a will is a lot easier than you probably think. But like anything, you have to start with the basics. These are the documents you need to get started creating your will; the things you absolutely must account for; and a few things you’ll want to consider.

You Had Me at Bequest

You Had Me At Bequest

Too often, once a prospect has documented his/her bequest intentions, the donor acknowledgment period lasts through several months of standard thank-you letters, a holiday greeting or goodie, and perhaps a recognition dinner (depending on level of gift). The donor’s name is summarily noted in recognition reports, on walls of fame, etched onto a plaque or mug, and whisked away into a legacy giving society. Then, it drops off the crevice into the deep, dark hole of “no further action required.”

Final Invoice

Government Agent

The good news is, by creating a will and preparing for the first, you can reduce the burden of the second — both on yourself, and on your heirs. That’s because creating a will gives you the opportunity to put your affairs in order and ensure you’re in control of your own legacy.

An Estate-Planning Guide Just For Women

An image of a frustrated, grieving woman sitting over a laptop computer, to illustrate a Plannedgiving.Com blog post about the importance of women's estate planning.

Did you know that on average, women live five to seven years longer than men? This means any changes in finances, inheritance, or guardianship can complicate the estate planning process. It also means women often spend more time and resources on long-term or end-of-life care.

Planned Giving Power Words That Work

A picture of a granddaughter whispering into her grandfather's ear, to illustrate a PlannedGiving.Com post on Planned Giving Power Words That Work.

While the planned giving world isn’t exactly the wizarding world of Harry Potter, believe it or not, there really are some magic words — “power words,” if you prefer — that can make bringing home the endowment bacon a lot more likely.

Celebrities Who Died Without A Will: A Study in Poor Estate Planning

A photo of a glamorous woman surrounded by photographers, to illustrate a plannedgiving.com post about celebrities who died without a will. Dying without a will is also called dying intestate.

Why do only rich people have wills? Because they have the luxury to afford it. NOT. I think you’ll be surprised at the number of rich and famous people who died without a will —or didn’t have an updated will—when they left this earth. Each eventually left behind a fortune, but millions (and millions!) of dollars was wasted on lawyers, avoidable taxes, and lawsuits.

Does a Planned Gift Donor Need a Lawyer to Draft a Will?

Planned Gift Donor

One of the most frequently asked questions in planned giving is whether or not a planned gift donor needs a lawyer to write their will. In this article, we answer the question, and give some important fundraising tips for your non-profit.