MAKING PROVISIONS TO HELP ALL ANIMALS LONG AFTER YOU ARE GONE
The Associated Humane Societies is deeply committed to all aspects of animal care and welfare. Unfortunately, due to our large budgetary requirements, we must rely on the generosity of others. Each year, our job becomes progressively wider in scope and increasingly more difficult. We face many challenges on a daily basis and need all of the resources possible to continue this work.
If you are reading this, then you are clearly concerned about where your funds should be allocated after your demise.
Writing your own Will can leave loopholes which may lead to legal problems in the future with attorneys, relatives, friends and can be quite costly to the AHS and the animals.
A bequest in our Last Will and Testament will ensure that the funds allocated to the Society will be used to support our efforts and aims. Such a bequest may consist of a designated amount of money, a gift of securities, real estate, etc. The Society's Tax Identification Number is 221-487122.
An outdated Will also presents sadness and expensive legal action. If there is a death of someone mentioned in your Will .... or a divorce, re-marriage, birth, etc., it is advisable to draw up a new Will. The best way to change a Will is to add a Codicil which is a legal document made up by an attorney that describes any changes you wish to make. The things you wish to change are then deleted from your original Will and the Codicil is inserted.
Keep a copy of your Will in your home in a safety deposit box, one to be kept by your lawyer, & if you send one to the Society, it is kept confidential. There are many ways to lend your financial support some with significant savings in estate taxes and capital gains taxes ... an attractive income for life ... income for your loved ones and the knowledge that you are making sound valuable investments in the programs, efforts and aims provided by the Associated Humane Societies to help animals.
In the absence of a Will, the laws of our state will determine how your assets are distributed.
Also keep in mind that once yopu apply for Medicaid, the government will oversee your finances.
If you wish to help animals, make donations while you are still in control of your own finances, and later you'll be happy that you were able to provide for animals. There are several types of charitable giving, including those below, and we suggest that you speak to an attorney or financial advisor concerning these.