A properly maintained will can protect the intentions of the deceased person, and his or her surviving partner. She also advised obtaining the services of an attorney. While legal self-help books may take a person far, professional legal help can guard against changes in the law, and can customize documents to the particular needs of a household. Bailey-Adams advocated simplicity and preparedness in estate planning. A properly witnessed will, documents attesting the free will and mental capacity of the one executing the will, and a ready inventory of property and assets help with probate court.
Alternative families have a variety of options in reducing estate and gift taxes.
Bailey-Adams glowed with the last part of her presentation. Charitable gift plans, such as those available through the UUA, provide income for a couple, for the surviving partner, and after the death of the second partner, the balance of the growing fund will then go to the UUA, a congregation, or an affiliated or associated organization. Marcy Bailey-Adams is the Director of Charitable Gift and Estate Planning for the Unitarian Universalist Association. There have been 200 accesses to this page since June 24, 2000.