What is a planned gift?
A planned gift to Animal Rescue, Inc. is a gift made today to secure the future of homeless animals.
Your planned gift can take the form of a bequest made through your Will. Other planned gifts include donations of securities and other property, designating Animal Rescue, Inc. as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, IRA, 401(k) or other retirement account, and contributions made through charitable trusts.
Many planned gifts provide significant income tax deductions to the donor. A planned gift may also enable you to avoid capital gains taxes and reduce You will find information on many of the most popular planned gifts on our website’s Planned Giving pages.
To see how simple it actually is to remember Animal Rescue, Inc. in your Will and other estate plans, please read our article “Remembering the Animals in Your Will & Estate Plans . . . It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3!”
Why is preparing a will so important?
Many people assume that only those with large estates need to prepare a Will. This is simply not true. Everyone over the age of 18 should have a Will.
Without a Will, state law will determine how your assets will be disposed of upon your death, and, if you have minor children, who will be appointed as their guardian. Court costs, legal fees and estate taxes could also consume a significant portion of your assets.
Only by preparing a Will can you ensure that your final wishes will be honored.
Who should prepare my will?
To substantially reduce federal and state estate taxes and ensure that your property will be distributed as you desire, your Will should be prepared by an attorney experienced in estate matters.
This is also important to ensure that your Will has been properly drafted and that all legal requirements affecting your estate have been satisfied.
What if I already have a will?
If you already have a Will and would like to include Animal Rescue, Inc. in your estate plans, your attorney can prepare a Codicil for you. A Codicil is a short legal document that amends your present Will.
Your Will should be reviewed and updated periodically. This is especially true if life changes such as a birth, death, marriage or divorce have taken place since your Will was written or you have experienced a significant change in financial status. Your attorney can advise you if changes in the tax law have occurred that would affect your current estate plans.
While many changes may be accomplished through a Codicil to your existing Will, it may be necessary to prepare a new Will. Your attorney can also advise you on this.
How do I find an attorney to assist me?
In addition to the planned gifts mentioned in these Planned Giving pages, there may be other options that would be appropriate for your estate planning goals, such as a variety of charitable trusts. Many have significant tax advantages.
Your attorney or financial advisor would be best able to explain those options and guide you through this process.
Wills & Estates Attorneys specialize in preparing Wills, and they can also assist you in your other estate matters. General Practice Attorneys with experience in preparing Wills can also write your Will and make sure that your Will complies with the laws of your state.
If you do not have an attorney, a family member or friend may be able to provide you with a referral. You can also contact your local chapter of the Bar Association for a referral.
Each state has its own chapter of the Bar Association, and their office’s Lawyer Referral Service can provide you with a referral to an attorney in your area.
These are the phone numbers for the Bar Associations in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York:
Maryland Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service
1-800-492-1964
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service
1-800-932-0311
New York Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service
518-463-3200
To learn more about leaving a Bequest to Animal Rescue, Inc. in your Will, as well as other planned giving options that may be available to you, please visit the other Planned Giving pages on this website or call Animal Rescue, Inc. at 717-993-3232.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in Animal Rescue, Inc.’s Legacy of Life Society – and the animals thank you!
Animal Rescue, Inc.
Tax ID No. 23-2180310
Please Leave a Legacy of Life for Homeless Animals By Remembering Animal Rescue, Inc. in Your Will and Other Estate Plans.