ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR: NOV. 9 Ensuring the Good Stewardship of Our Life’s Gifts

The upcoming Estate Planning Seminar — set for 7 p.m., on Nov. 9 at Bishop Vasa Hall — will cover many facets of planning for one’s future. Besides the practical aspects that will be discussed, participants will also be given the opportunity to view their planning through the lens of stewardship.

Michael Lafleur of St. Peter Parish will be one of the presenters, offering “Planning Your Estate,” with his firm, Endacott, Peetz, Timmer & Koerwitz. Other presenters and their topics are “Planning Your Catholic Funeral,” by Pat McCashland from Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home; and “Purchasing Your Burial Space,” by Msgr. Thorburn of Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The seminar is for anyone who wants to draw up an estate plan for the first time, or someone who has one in place. No registration is required.

Estate planning is making a plan for the management of one’s assets in life and distribution upon death.

“To expand on it, estate planning is preparing for your absence, disability, or death,” Mike says. “Estate planning includes documents such as Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney for Finances and Powers of Attorney for Health Care. Other issues include preparing for and minimizing state and federal taxes.”

Important moments to prepare an estate plan are when you get married or have children. However, after your estate plan is prepared, it should be reviewed and updated over time. Updates to your plan can be a result of changes in your life or it can be due to changes in our laws. Mike said that unfortunately, for some families, heartache, time, and expense could have been avoided by proper reviews of their estate plans.

Stewardship should be an integral part of your estate plan. Mike points to a quote from Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen, “Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?”

Mike says, “Bishop Sheen directing us to the wounds of Christ describes the Christian life. Giving of ourselves in service to others, giving from our financial gifts, and most importantly, giving our lives to God.” A well-thought-out estate plan can further the use of those financial gifts that God has entrusted to us.

Mike lists four points to follow as you begin making an estate plan: (1) list who you currently support; (2) consider who you wish to support in the future; (3) describe your assets and liabilities; and (4) consult with your attorney, accountant, financial advisor, insurance agent, and funeral director. Working with a team of advisors helps ensure that you have a proper estate plan in place.

Estate planning can assure that your family will have adequate support after your death. You can also plan to maximize the distribution of your assets to your family or to charities. Mike provides that with proper planning you can be sure you and your beneficiaries will be provided for in an efficient manner should you become incapacitated or pass away.

Mike says, “When preparing our estate plans, we should remember that because of our baptism we are members of the Body of Christ. From our baptism we gain a church family, and we should consider providing for our church family in our estate plans. Our parish and church need our support.”

Through thoughtful planning, you have opportunities to maximize distributions to family members and charities. For anyone considering charitable giving, there are tax factors to consider. Mike says, “Everyone has an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy; therefore, it is important to take time to prayerfully consider your estate plan.”

If you would like more information about the upcoming Estate Planning Seminar, please call the parish office at 402-423-1239.

Michael Lafleur will be one of the presenters for the Estate Planning Seminar, set for Nov. 9 at Bishop Vasa Hall.