How Estate Planning Can Help You and Support Your Community

How Estate Planning Can Help You and Support Your Community

Estate planning is often overlooked, but it’s a vital step in protecting your loved ones, ensuring your wishes are honored, and securing your legacy. During National Estate Planning Week (October 21-27), we want to highlight the importance of having a solid plan in place for the future and how it can also benefit the causes you care about.

At Advance Community, we are dedicated to creating healthier, more resilient communities through a wide range of services. From medical care and health education to community development and food security initiatives, we address the unique needs of underserved populations. By including us in your estate plans, you not only safeguard your family’s future but also help us continue our mission of providing critical services to those in need locally and globally.

Through thoughtful estate planning, you can make a lasting impact on:

Community Development: Building stronger communities through sustainable infrastructure and local empowerment.

Medical Care: Supporting free, life-saving healthcare and surgeries in underserved regions.

Health Education: Offering vital health education to empower individuals and promote preventive care.

Food Security: Providing nutritious meals and fresh produce to families and seniors.

What is Estate Planning and Why Does It Matter?

Estate planning involves more than just writing a will. It’s the process of arranging how your assets, healthcare, and legal decisions will be managed if you are unable to make them yourself. It ensures that your loved ones and any causes close to your heart are taken care of according to your wishes.

Here are a few reasons why estate planning is so crucial:

Protect Your Loved Ones: By having a will, you can determine who will inherit your assets, assign guardians for minor children, and ensure that your family avoids unnecessary stress or legal battles.

Make Medical Decisions in Advance: Healthcare directives allow you to outline your medical preferences, ensuring your wishes are honored even if you cannot make decisions yourself.

Reduce Taxes and Fees: Proper estate planning can minimize the taxes your beneficiaries must pay and reduce the time and cost of the probate process.

Support the Causes You Care About: You can leave a portion of your estate to a nonprofit like Advance Community, ensuring your values and legacy live on through charitable giving.

How Estate Planning Can Support Advance Community

If you’re passionate about creating long-term positive change in your community, consider including Advance Community in your estate plans. Planned gifts ensure that our critical work continues for generations, impacting both local and global communities. Here’s how your legacy gift can make a difference:

• Medical Care: Advance Community provides vital healthcare services, including free surgical missions in underserved regions, focusing on areas like dental care, eye care, and general surgeries.
• Food Security Initiatives: Your support helps us provide nutritious meals and fresh produce to local aging adults and families in need. We also run community gardens that promote sustainability and health.
• Community Development: We empower communities by promoting sustainable development, improving infrastructure, and offering programs that enhance local economies and self-sufficiency.
• Health Education: Advance’s health educators conduct bilingual workshops on topics such as nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and oral health for children and adults.
• Global Outreach: Through partnerships in countries such as Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Peru, we offer preventive healthcare, medical missions, and education programs that promote long-term health and wellness.

By leaving a legacy gift, you help Advance Community continue making an impact for future generations, both locally and abroad.

Planned Giving Options: Ways to Leave a Lasting Impact

There are many ways to include charitable giving in your estate plans:

1. Bequests: Leave a specific dollar amount, percentage of your estate, or asset (like property or stocks) to Advance Community in your will.
2. Beneficiary Designations: Name Advance Community as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, retirement accounts, or bank accounts.
3. Charitable Trusts: Set up a charitable trust, which can provide income to you or your family while leaving the remainder to Advance Community.
4. Donor-Advised Funds: Establish a fund where you can recommend how and when gifts are distributed to charities.

These options allow you to make a meaningful contribution while also benefiting your family through tax advantages or income during your lifetime.

Getting Started with Estate Planning

Estate planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few steps to get started, and you can explore this [estate planning guide]for more details.:

1. Inventory Your Assets: List out your property, savings, investments, retirement accounts, and other valuable assets.
2. Create or Update Your Will: Work with an attorney to ensure your will is up to date and reflects your current wishes.
3. Consider Your Charitable Goals: Think about the causes you care about and how you’d like to leave a legacy.
4. Consult with an Estate Planning Professional: Speak with a financial advisor or attorney to explore your options and ensure your plan is legally sound.

At Advance Community, we are here to provide information and resources if you’re considering a planned gift. Contact us for more details on how you can include our mission in your estate plans.

Leave a Legacy of Impact

National Estate Planning Week is the perfect time to start thinking about the future. Estate planning not only protects your loved ones and preserves your legacy, but it also provides an opportunity to make a lasting difference in your community. By including Advance Community in your plans, you can ensure that your values live on and continue to make a positive impact.

Get Your Estate Planning Checklist
Use our step-by-step checklist to guide you through the estate planning process, making it easy to ensure all key aspects are covered while planning your legacy.

If you would like more information on how to get started or how planned giving can support Advance Community, contact our team at [email protected] or call 602-252-7772. We’d be happy to discuss how your legacy can help build a stronger, healthier community for future generations across the globe.

The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or tax advice. We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney, financial planner, or tax professional to ensure that your estate plan meets your individual needs and complies with current laws.