Why Understanding Your Assets is Crucial to a Successful Estate Plan
Why understanding your assets is crucial to a successful estate plan by Christopher L. Kelly, Esq. My grandmother made the best apple pie I have ever tasted. Watching her take the ingredients and put them together just so was a sight to behold — especially since she did not have all the ingredients written down! […]
Increase Giving Through Qualified Charitable Distributions
Increase giving through qualified charitable distributions by Christopher L. Kelly, Esq. One of the newer avenues of charitable giving is called the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), which comes from the IRAs of persons who have to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). Though this has been an option for a number of years, we are seeing […]
The Danger of the Joint Bank Account
The Danger of a Joint Bank Account by Christopher L. Kelly, Esq. Joint account ownership is a convenient way to own a bank account or other financial account with someone. Key benefits include the fact that all owners of a joint account can conduct business on the account. It is also useful that there is […]
Your 2019 New Year’s Resolution: Start a Legacy Ministry in Your Church — Part 2
Last month we discussed making a New Year’s resolution to create a legacy ministry in your church and what that would mean for your church. For review, a legacy ministry is: A way to expand the stewardship conversation with believers beyond tithes and offerings. It’s a tool by which Christ followers plan their estates to […]
Make a 2019 New Year’s Resolution: Start a Legacy Ministry in Your Church
As you think about 2019 and what it holds for your church, why not consider making a new year’s resolution to create a Legacy Ministry in your church? A Legacy Ministry is a way to expand the stewardship conversation with believers beyond tithes and offerings. It’s a tool by which Christ followers plan their estates […]
3 Reasons to Make Estate Planning Your Easiest New Year’s Resolution
The key to a successful new year’s resolution is to be realistic. It’s great to have goals, but going from never exercising to hour-long workouts seven days a week is probably not a sustainable resolution. One resolution you can easily accomplish this year is estate planning. Many people feel like they don’t own enough to […]
3 Reasons Every Christian Needs an Estate Plan
While it is beneficial for every person to have an estate plan for the sake of their family, it is even more essential for followers of Christ. Though some people may be uncomfortable talking about the topic, it doesn’t have to be scary — especially for Christians, knowing that because of our faith and trust […]
3 Tips to Build A Culture of Generosity in Your Church
In their book Contagious Generosity, Chris Willard and Jim Sheppard state, “generosity is at its core is a lifestyle, a lifestyle in which we share all that we have, are, and ever will become as a demonstration of God’s love and a response to God’s grace.” We serve a gracious and generous God. It should […]
The Queen of Soul and The Bandit: A Tale of Two Estates
Over the last couple of months, we lost two American entertainment icons: Aretha Franklin and Burt Reynolds. Franklin’s musical talent made her one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed musical artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold worldwide, earning her the title of “Queen of Soul” and definitely earning our […]
Bridging the Gap with Planned Giving
In the U.S. today, the whole idea of generosity is perceived differently than it was 50 years ago. As gen-Xers (born between 1965 and 1983) age and millennials become young adults, culture is evolving, and the landscape of giving — especially in churches — has shifted significantly. Overall, the percentage of tithing churchgoers is low […]
