Lessons from Lee: Will you remember the League with a charitable bequest?

Do you have all of your affairs in order? Whether you are 18 or 80, it’s important to have an up-to-date Will. Thankfully, this is not a lengthy or costly effort. Here are a few things to remember:

• Make a list of your assets, such as your investments, real estate, bank accounts, and valuables.

• Review your beneficiary designations on your life insurance, investment, and retirement accounts. Has your situation changed in a way that would affect who inherits all or part of your estate?

• If you already have a Will, make sure to review and update it every 3-5 years. While doing so, make sure to review the executor/s that you named. Are they still willing to take on this role?

• Lastly, consider whether or not you would like to remember a charitable organization like the Preservation League in your final plans. This need not be an “all or nothing” scenario. You can always decide to leave any percentage you’d like to the League or even to several charities.

You may wonder how the League benefits by being named a beneficiary in your Will:

• Bequests and other types of planned gifts are a cornerstone of the League’s preservation efforts and education programs across New York State and are essential to the present and future of the League.

• Naming the League in your Will ensures that we can respond to future challenges while enabling us to expand our vision for historic preservation.

• Planning a gift to the Preservation League through your estate is a powerful declaration of your support.

If you haven’t yet made a Will or considered your estate plans, now is the time! We always suggest contacting your attorney or financial advisor when considering charitable gifts.