CHARITABLE GIFTS
 A Few Considerations

Family Wills

You share their joys and heartbreaks, their successes, their struggles, their pain. You've watched them grow, and you've always been delighted at how quickly they get up after a fall. You've always been there for them. You've sacrificed a lot to provide for their care, and now you're thinking about how to take care of them in the future, about the legacy you're going to leave behind.

Doesn't your parish family at St. Ann's deserve a place in this legacy? As a community of believers we come together as the Body of Christ, as an extended family, so that no one will be left out of reach of loving arms and a caring heart. Your parish family needs and deserves to be cared for not just now but in your children's time and in your grandchildren's, and in generations beyond.

Planned giving can make the legacy of love you've left for your children reach beyond to your extended family, the faith community with which you've shared some of life's most precious moments. There are many, many ways in which you can remember St. Ann's in planning.

You may make a BEQUEST to St. Ann Parish in your estate planning. In most states, if you do not have a will, your estate will be divided equally among your closest living relatives. Neither St. Ann Parish nor any other charity will benefit directly if you do not specify your gift in a will.

You may name St. Ann Parish a BENEFICIARY of a life insurance policy, qualified plan such as a 401(k) or 403(b), or certain other retirement accounts.

You may donate appreciated assets such as shares of stock, mutual funds, even real estate-and in most cases avoid paying capital gains taxes that would be incurred if you or your estate liquidated those assets.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES will provide you with a lifetime income in exchange for a donated lump sum.

Donors with substantial gifts may want to include a CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST in their estate planning. A CRT provides significant estate, income and capital gains tax benefits to both trustees and beneficiaries.

How do I get started?

Every situation is a little different, and the rules and tax laws governing planned giving can be quite complex. The business office here at St. Ann Parish can provide you with basic information such as naming the parish in your will or as a beneficiary.

You may wish to consult with a tax advisor or an attorney who specializes in estate planning for help on other issues. The Internet can be a good resource for general help in estate planning. Check the church bulletin for information on special planned giving seminars offered at no cost and no obligation.

You can't take it with you. Don't let your care for your parish family become just a memory.