Making Wishes Come True

Would you like to be reasonably sure you'll have the funds you need for the rest of your life? Do you want to assure financial security for loved ones who may survive you? What about the secure feeling that you will have enough savings to cover unexpected emergencies?

"Estate planning" is the process that makes wishes into realities.

Three steps . . .

Estate planning starts with acquisition of property. It includes good management of your property to take you and your heirs safely through life's potentially costly pitfalls (disability, premature death, expensive emergencies). It is wise to also make provisions for distribution of property at death.

For each of these steps, different planning vehicles are useful. You may be familiar with some, such as life insurance or joint ownership. New ones may become known to you as you look for the best ways to plan for your needs and those of your loved ones.

Providing for Others

Wise estate planning can also assist you in making gifts to favorite organizations such as Goodwill Industries of Orange County. It can help you decide what, when and how to give. You can often help perpetuate causes you support while, in some cases, enhancing your economic security.

Supporting Goodwill Industries of Orange County

Many people use their Will to support important causes or organizations. Such gifts are very meaningful, because they allow you - even after your death - to continue to support causes that are important to you. You can also use your Will to memorialize someone who is especially important in your life through a bequest made to Goodwill Industries of Orange County in their name. Such gifts - whether direct bequests or bequests made to honor others - are a great way to express your values and further an important cause, leaving a legacy of life for those who follow you.

If you would like to make a bequest to Goodwill Industries of Orange County, here is sample wording that you can use. Please consult your attorney for preparation of any addition or changes to your will or trust.

A specific bequest is a bequest of a specific item or dollar amount. An example of a specific bequest might be providing that your first edition Gone with the Wind, signed by Margaret Mitchell be given to your sister, Ashley at your death.

Sample wording you can use to make a specific bequest to Goodwill Industries of Orange County:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to Goodwill Industries of Orange County, located in Santa Ana, California, or its successor organization, a nonprofit organization as described in section 501c3 of the internal revenue code $__________________."

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A percentage bequest is a bequest of a certain percentage of your estate or of another asset. An example of a percentage bequest might be providing that, upon your death, your house be sold and that each of your four children receive one-fourth of the net proceeds.

Sample wording you can use to make a percentage bequest to Goodwill Industries of Orange County:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to Goodwill Industries of Orange County, located in Santa Ana, California, or its successor organization, a nonprofit organization as described in section 501c3 of the internal revenue code ________________ percent of my estate."

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A residual bequest is a bequest of all or a portion of the remainder or residue of the estate after specific and other bequests have been distributed. An example of this type of bequest might be providing that everything that remains after all previous bequests have been satisfied should be given to Goodwill Industries of Orange County.

Sample wording you can use to make a residual bequest to Goodwill Industries of Orange County:

"All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise and bequeath to Goodwill Industries of Orange County, located in Santa Ana, California or its successor organization, a nonprofit organization as described in section 501c3 of the internal revenue code."

For More Information

Click here for the Goodwill Industries of Orange County Gift Law page.

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