THE BESTWAYS TOHELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times
Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you do not have resources to spare right now. Donate While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money, especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most. Volunteer In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain
social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. Advocate Even if you do not have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your
community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.
LESSONS FROM THE STARS
Estate planning can be a difficult, sometimes overwhelming process. No one likes to think about their own death. However, if you do not take the time to create an estate plan today, your family could very well shoulder that burden later on. Here are a few celebrity stories that highlight what happens when estate planning is not taken seriously. Aretha Franklin: Get It in Writing When Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, it was widely reported that the Queen of Soul had never created an estate plan. After her death, it was assumed that Franklin would have wanted her multimillion-dollar estate to be passed to her four sons. However, three handwritten documents found in Franklin’s home last year brought this into question. The most recent document, dated 2014, divided her real estate and the income from her music royalties between her three youngest sons and named her youngest as the estate administrator.
Whether these handwritten documents count as a will is debatable. The uncertainty could lead to a legal battle between Franklin’s sons, jeopardizing the family’s ability to control Franklin’s legacy. Franklin was an incredible musical genius and a savvy businesswoman, but this trouble highlights the importance of sitting down with an attorney to draft a formal estate plan. Heath Ledger: Update Everything Australian actor Heath Ledger wisely had a will drafted in 2003. The will left half of his estate to his three sisters and the rest to his parents after any debts had been paid. However, Ledger made a very common estate planning mistake: He never updated his will. When Ledger passed away suddenly in 2008, his old will did not include his then-2-year-old daughter, Matilda. Ledger’s family knew the actor would have wanted his daughter taken care of and agreed to make sure Matilda inherited all of her father’s $20 million estate. This is an unexpectedly positive ending to a tragic story. In most cases, outdated wills lead to bitter family battles. Take care to update your estate plan every five years or after every major life event, like a birth, death, or marriage. Most of us are not famous singers or actors, but anyone can make these estate planning mistakes. Give us a call at 281-218-0880 to learn how to make sure your wishes are honored.
2 HEGWOOD LAW GROUP
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