Category: Estate Planning

In one of my first planned giving discussions early in my fundraising career, I faced something I had never considered before. Over lunch, a longtime donor hesitantly told me he had no one to serve as executor of his estate. He had confided in me about the strained relationship with his children and extended family, leaving him with a difficult decision. It was hard for him to talk about, and my job at the moment was, first and foremost, to listen.

When it comes to helping supporters plan future gifts, one of the most common sources of confusion is deciding which assets should be included in a will and which should be distributed via beneficiary designations. I wrote about this a couple of years ago, but recent conversations with individuals have prompted me to revisit this important topic, especially how these vehicles can impact planned gifts for nonprofits.

As more consumers look for financial advisors who can provide comprehensive, tech-enabled services, offering estate planning is quickly shifting from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.” Advisors who incorporate services like LifeLegacy not only stand out but also position themselves as true fiduciaries who care about their clients’ total financial picture.

Financial advisors affiliated with broker-dealers, IMOs, FMOs and other marketing organizations are always on the lookout for tools that provide a competitive edge. In today’s digital age, technology not only streamlines operations (think the elimination of “not in good order” (NIGO) applications), but also enhances the overall client experience, leading to deeper relationships and greater lifetime value.

Why should financial advisors offer an online estate planning suite to clients? Here are a few key reasons to consider offering this valuable tool from LifeLegacy:

Corporate giving programs benefit companies, nonprofits, and the overall community. Learn why your company should start one of these high-impact programs today.

64% of all Americans think having a will is important, but only 32% actually have up-to-date documents in place. This gap represents tens of millions of people with good intentions who have not acted to protect their families from the potential confusion, heartache, and turmoil that inevitably occurs when wills, beneficiary designations, and a rudimentary listing of financial and other accounts are not in place. Can American companies and organizations take steps to help close the gap?

Fraternal life insurers have long been champions of serving specific communities with tailored insurance products and services. Rooted in a tradition of mutual support and shared values, these not-for-profit organizations are uniquely positioned to further deepen their relationships with members by addressing broader financial security needs. One essential service that complements the mission of fraternals is estate planning, including a will, advance health directive and financial power of attorney. Simple online estate planning platforms like LifeLegacy offer fraternal insurers an opportunity to provide a meaningful complementary service that dovetails perfectly with the protection of life insurance and annuity product while fostering loyalty and engagement.