A Will to Strengthen the Jewish Future

Are You One of the 70% or the 30%?

By Paula Filler, Life & Legacy Endowment Chair and Jill Hagler, CAP Director of Philanthropy, TOP Jewish Foundation

Did you know that about 70% of Americans have no will? And of those who do, nearly 70% have wills that are out of date!

Creating or updating your will empowers you to make decisions about life’s most important matters — such as who will manage your health and finances if you’re unable to, and how your hard-earned assets will be distributed to the people and causes you love.

Now is the perfect time to review your plans — or create a will or living trust for the first time. If you have moved to Florida from another state, this may also be the right time to have a Florida attorney review your estate documents, including Health Care Directives and Health Care Proxies, to make sure they will work as intended under Florida law. Once your loved ones are provided for, you can also leave a lasting legacy to organizations close to your heart, like Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, through a gift in your will.

You can choose to leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your remaining estate. This type of gift doesn’t affect your current income or assets during your lifetime, and it’s simple to create and update with your attorney as circumstances change.

“As a proud Lion of Judah, I wanted to perpetuate my gift and my Jewish values. I did both by creating a Lion of Judah Endowment through a gift in my will. A flame has been added to my Lion pin, symbolizing my commitment to ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish future in Naples.” ~ Cheryl Ginsburg

Interested in exploring how you can create or update your will and make a lasting impact? Contact Alicia Feldman, Director of Development at afeldman@jewishnaples.org or 239-449-8266.

Please consult with your professional advisor before taking any action. As with any significant tax and charitable planning, it is advisable to fully consider potential changes in the context of your complete financial portfolio.