For many of us here in Arizona, no matter what our level of income the discretionary portion of our monthly budget is rarely as large as we would like it to be. Because of this one of the important items that is often sacrificed is our ability to donate as much as we would like to the charities that do great work here in Scottsdale and around the state.

One option to support the causes you champion is to include planned giving as part of your comprehensive estate plan. Often people find that they are able to make a larger gift as part of an estate than they could by trying to fit it into their monthly budget. Of course I'm sure the charities would appreciate it even more if you did both.

You don't have to be Rockefeller to engage in this sort of charitable contribution. There are a number of methods for providing funds to causes that are important to you after you pass away.

A gift can be part of a bequest in which most of your estate goes to your heirs but a portion is set aside for a charity of your choice. A similar arrangement can often be included as part of life insurance policy designation.

Giving to charity as part of your estate plan certainly does not mean that you have to significantly reduce the amount that you pass along to your children or other family members. But just as you would with your assets now you may want to support your children to the best of your ability but also include donations to the charities that share your values.

Source: Modesto Bee "You too can leave part of your estate to charity" Monica Ojcius, June 16, 2011