Your estate plan ≠ just money. It’s your legacy.
You can leave meaning. ❤️ You can fund a cause that shaped your life, or one you just discovered and want to support long after you’re gone.
👉 If you’ve supported a cause, your estate can keep that going.
How?
Charitable giving. It's personal, powerful, and not just for the ultra-wealthy.
True story:
📚 A client in New York — no close family, but a lifetime of book collecting.
They weren’t rare or pricey, just a rich library of his life’s passion.
We built his estate plan around donating them to the right charity.
🔑 The takeaway: You don’t need millions. You just need intention.
Why charitable giving matters: 5 big benefits
Tax perks 💰
Cut or wipe out estate taxes.
Flexibility 🔄
Change your mind anytime. Swap out charities as your values or theirs evolve.
Family harmony 🕊️
No surprise arguments. If reading, art, or animals were your passion, your family will get it.
Legacy alignment 🧬
Your estate mirrors your values.
Teachable moment 👨👩👧👦
Show your kids what mattered most to you.
How to do it: 5 ways to give
Bequest in your will
Easy + flexible. Say, “I give 10% of my estate to [charity].”
It can be a dollar amount, a percentage, or a specific item (stock, art, property).
Beneficiary designations
Use your retirement accounts, life insurance, etc.
✅ Bonus: Charities don’t pay income tax, so they keep more of the money.
Charitable remainder trust
You (or someone you choose) get income during life → charity gets the rest after.
Great for high-net-worth folks with appreciated assets.
Charitable lead trust
Flip it: Charity gets income now → your family gets what’s left later.
Donor-advised funds (DAFs)
Think of it as a charitable flexible spending account.
You donate now (get a tax break), direct the funds over time, and appoint someone to carry on your giving.
Minnesota bonus 🧊
⚠️ Estates over $3M (starting 2025) will be taxed.
Charitable gifts help shrink your taxable estate.
✅ Make sure your charity is registered with the MN Attorney General’s office.
3 mistakes to avoid
🚫 Naming the wrong org
✅ Confirm it’s a legit 501(c)(3), not Steve's Garage Beer Club.
🚫 Forgetting your executor
✅ Let your people know ~ executor, trustee, etc. They need to carry out your plan.
🚫 Outdated plan
✅ Review every 3 years. Charities change. So do you.
Want to get started?
📱 Step 1: Jot a quick note ~ What causes matter most to you?
Then:
✔️ Call your attorney (👋 that’s me)
✔️ Loop in your tax + financial advisors
✔️ Share your plan with your family
It’s your legacy. Help them understand it.
Need help?
Book a legal strategy session at AndrewMayers.com ~ big red button on the homepage. 15–20 min, zero pressure.
🎥 Like this video? Hit the 👍 or subscribe at AyersLawTV.com.
Bottom line:
Charitable giving isn’t complicated. We’ve laid out 5 ways to build it into your estate.
✅ Already have a plan? Review it if it's 2–3+ years old.
Your legacy deserves to be clear, personal, and lasting.
