The moment you die, everything you own is given away. There are only three choices in where it goes:

• Your heirs
• The government
• Charity

If you've chosen to give to charity at your death, you need to ask yourself this key question: Are you enjoying lower taxes in life as a result of the gifts that you will make at the end of life?

A Real Life Example

Tom and Betty have a grandson in full-time ministry with Young Life. They hope he remains in ministry his entire life and as such have included funds in their will to support his ministry for a long period of time.

Their situation:

• Tom and Betty have an estate valued at $3 million.
• They are making a gift through their will to Young Life for $500,000.
• They are receiving no tax benefits from their bequest.

Their new plan provides:

• Lower taxes — now.
• Secure lifetime income stream.
• Avoidance of $90,000 in capital gains taxes.