Part 9 of 9
- Part 1 -- The Place of Endowment Funds in the Local Church
- Part 2 -- How Pastors Can Encourage Planned/Deferred Gifts
- Part 3 -- Encouraging Gifts to a Local Church Endowment Fund
- Part 4 -- Guide to Memorial and Honor Giving in the Local Church
- Part 5 -- Descriptions of the Major Planned Gift Vehicles
- Part 6 -- Planned Giving Resources for Your Use in the Local Church
- Part 7 -- Getting Started on a Local Church Endowment Fund
- Part 8 -- Holding an Estate and Gift Workshop in Your Church
- Part 9 -- A Model for an Estate Planning Seminar in Your Church
This material is excerpted from the "Planned Giving Handbook for Local Churches" published by the National Association of United Methodist Foundations.
(Here is a little bit different way to look at the agenda for an Estate Planning Seminar in your church that will help you promote the concepts and strtategies of planned and deferred giving to your local church endowment fund.
You might want to consider inviting one of the Commission members or the Executive of the Conference's United Methodist Foundation, John Fike, (call734-484-2166) to assist in planning this seminar or as one of the speakers.
You might also choose to use an attorney or some other professionals from your church or community as speakers. Special attention needs to be given to subjects to be covered and time limitations for all speakers/leaders.)
- Opening
- (Welcome, brief devotional, statement of purpose)
- (Welcome, brief devotional, statement of purpose)
- What is an Estate?
- How will my property be distributed?
- What about taxes?
- How will my property be distributed?
- Myths in Estate Planning
- "Life insurance is never taxable."
- "Jointly held property always saves estate taxes."
- Other myths
- "Life insurance is never taxable."
- Questions we need to ask about wills
- Who can make a will?
- Why have a will?
- Cost of a will?
- Can I write my own will? Should I?
- How do I choose an attorney?
- How do I choose an executor/executrix?
- Who can witness a will?
- When should a will be reviewed?
- Where should I keep my will?
- What about changes to my will?
- Who can make a will?
- Marital Deduction and Federal Estate Taxes
- What is the "unlimited marital deduction"?
- When to use? When not to use?
- What is the "unlimited marital deduction"?
- Another big question - "What Happens If You Die Without A Will?"
- Trusts
- Advantages/disadvantages
- Irrevocable vs. Revocable
- Charitable Remainder Trusts -- Irrevocable
- Living Trusts -- Revocable
- Power of Attorney
- Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney
- Providing charitable gifts through my estate plans
- Gifts by will
- Life income trusts
- Gifts through life insurance
- "Payable at Death" gifts (bank accounts, etc.)
- Real property gifts
- Personal property gifts
- Other charitable estate planning ideas
- Gifts by will
- Closing
- Distribute resource materials.
- Invite attendees to remain for questions/answers (if this has been arranged previously with leaders/speakers).
- Offer to provide attendees (upon request) additional resources and assistance.
- Remind the attendees of the assistance available at the local church level (Permanent Endowment Fund Committee).
- Remind the attendees of the assistance available through your
- Conference/Area United Methodist foundation.
- Close with prayer.
- Distribute resource materials.
FOLLOW-UP:
One of the keys to success for a program like this is "follow-up". During the week following the event send those who attended a brochure (linked to the theme of the program) and a letter of appreciation for their attendance. Invite their response to the event and inquire to see if they need any additional information. Your Detroit Annual Conference United Methodist Foundation publishes a newsletter called "Local Cnhurch Endowment Focus," and you can send the name and addresses of the attendees to them with a request that they be placed on the mailing list to receive the newsletter.
