A Quick Checklist to Help Find Peace-of-Mind

Make your end-of-the-year planning a little easier with this checklist of six important actions to take to make sure your estate plans are in order.

• Review your current will and trusts. These may need to be updated because of major changes in your life, such as births or deaths, a move to another state, etc.
• Take inventory and make a written record of the contents of any safe-deposit box. Give a copy to a trusted family member and note any items that you are holding for someone else that don’t belong to you.
• Review the beneficiary designations for your life insurance and retirement plans to make sure your beneficiary isn’t someone who is now deceased or a former spouse.
• Make sure your durable power of attorney for health care and living will are current.

	Request our free guide on locating important documents.

• Be sure you are comfortable with the guardian named in your will for those under your care, such as minor children or a loved one who is disabled.
• Finish charitable contributions by Dec. 31. As you think about special holiday gifts for family and friends, remember that making charitable gifts to organizations such as Lewis & Clark in their honor can be a heartwarming experience that also offers you tax benefits.

Questions
If you’re still in the early stages of planning a gift, Sharon Bosserman-Benson can assist you in determining the best way to remember Lewis & Clark this year or in your estate. Just call (503) 768-7911 or e-mail sharon@lclark.edu.