We recently spoke with Kylie Johnson, Director of Planned Giving at Baystate Health Foundation, who serves on the board of the Estate Planning Council of Hamden County. We asked, “What are the first three steps you would advise for individuals to take if they have not yet made estate plans?”
Kylie says:
- Phone a Friend: Not sure where to start? Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, or even a friend of a friend, about their estate planning – what they did and how they made their decisions. Many of our donors have noted that they were pleasantly surprised by how open their friends were to having this conversation and how enjoyable they found the process.
- Embrace the Process: Treat estate planning as a meaningful project rather than a box to check. Brainstorm ideas about what matters to you, how you might distribute certain items, what you might like to do for a loved one or charity, and how you would like to be remembered.
- Take Action: Make a call to a friendly estate planning attorney and get started. Ask friends, colleagues, a financial advisor, or a nonprofit representative you know well for recommendations, or check out your local estate planning council for ideas.
Kylie Johnson is the Director of Planned Giving for Baystate Health Foundation and an instructor for Boston University’s Professional Fundraising Certificate. She earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from the American College of Financial Services, served on the board of the Planned Giving Group of New England, and currently serves on the board of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County. Information in this article is not intended as legal or financial advice.
