Lutheran Planned Giving Partnership Asks…Is Jesus In Your Will?

In January 2000, Lutheran Planned Giving was organized as a complimentary service for individuals and congregations within the three ELCA Ohio synods. The Partnership is made up of 21 social service and educational agencies, Southern Ohio Synod, Northeastern Ohio Synod, Northwestern Ohio Synod and the ELCA Foundation.

Review this simple questionnaire answering YES or NO and find out if Lutheran Planned Giving can be of help to you.

• Do you have a current will or living trust? When did you last review it?
• Does your will name a guardian for your minor children?
• Your spouse has a will?
• Is the personal representative of your estate willing and able to serve?
• Do you wish to support ministries beyond your life?
• Have you considered charitable gifts, like gift annuities and charitable trusts, that will provide you with lifetime payments, then benefit ministries after your death?
• Are you taking advantage of the marital deduction to which you may be entitled?
• Do you have a durable power of attorney?
• Does your congregation have an endowment fund?

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, but would like to learn more about how you can be a witness to your faith through planned giving, contact Joyce Palmer, Director of Planned Giving of Lutheran Planned Giving - Ohio. She can coordinate a personal visit to you or work with your congregation to broaden congregational mission outreach.

My Will
I have a will. Two months ago I couldn’t say that. It took the death of a close friend to wake me up. Now I’m wondering why I procrastinated so long.

Let me tell you about my will…
My will reflects my wishes. Instead of the courts appointing an executor (personal representative), my son will handle this and without bond. My will makes provisions for family members in a way state statutes would not do. My will establishes a trust to benefit my spouse and reduce estate taxes. My will lets me disperse money to my children and grandchildren in an orderly and prolonged manner. My will identifies my church and other charities to receive special bequests. In short, my will allocates my assets according to my desires.

My will is legally valid. I went to an attorney who specializes in estate planning. She knew the right questions to ask and the best way to accomplish my goals. I was tempted to take a short cut and use one of those will documents you can get at a stationery store or computer software. I even thought of just sitting down and writing out my will on a piece of paper, a sort of “do-it-yourself” project. I’m sure glad I didn’t fall into that trap. After all, why do a will and then spend the rest of your life wondering if it is truly valid.

My will is up to date. This is because I only recently created it and it reflects my current situation, however, life never stays the same. Within a few years, new estate laws may arise, family members may develop different needs or the composition of my estate may change. As my attorney says, “An out-of-date will could be as harmful as having no will at all.”

My will can be amended. It is not locked in concrete. I can change it easily, either by adding a codicil or by simply having it redrafted. The important thing is I now have a workable will in place.

My will is safely stored. I have a copy of my will in my files at home, but I keep the original in a bank safety deposit box. I don’t want to lose this important document through fire or theft. I also made sure my personal representative knows how to find my will.

My will provides peace of mind. For years, I lived with the nagging apprehension of what would happen if I died without a will. Those feelings are gone. Now, I have a sense of well being about these matters, an inner calmness. It took a little time and effort and it cost a few dollars, but it was well worth it all.

If you do not have a current, valid will or comprehensive living trust, you are urged to care for this important matter. Not only can such planning benefit your loved ones, you may want to remember your congregation and other ELCA ministries. If you would like information about wills and charitable bequests, contact:

Joyce “JP” Palmer
Director of Planned Giving
Lutheran Planned Giving – Ohio
1555 South James Road
Columbus, OH 43227-3405
Office Phone: 614.235-4953
Fax: 614.235-4822
Cell Phone: 614.496-9186
E-mail: jcpalmer49@aol.com