Notes From the Field

There are several core estate planning and financial documents we should all have and keep up to date: a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy, and a Living Will. A review is recommended at least every five years, or should your circumstances or finances change, or if there is a change in applicable laws. Read on for more…

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New York State’s historic places tell our stories. The block of storefronts on Main Street with apartments above. The barn that has stood proudly on the landscape for generations. The restored theater that is once again a community anchor. You and the League can empower people and communities across the state to save and renew the places that matter.

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Do you have all of your affairs in order? Whether you are 18 or 80, it’s important to have an up-to-date Will. Thankfully, this is not a lengthy or costly effort. Here are a few things to remember.

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There are several easy ways that you can support the League’s important work. In this post, I’ve provided easy guidance with links to more information. Take a look!

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Would you consider making a larger contribution to the League if you could save on taxes?

Please consider a gift of publicly traded securities that you’ve held for more than one year. Appreciated stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds all qualify - and it’s a great way to accomplish your charitable objectives and diversify those highly appreciated stocks in one step.

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Summer is here. And that means trips to the beach, picnics, and hikes. Summer is also a good time to plan your charitable giving for the rest of the year.

One tax-smart approach is to set up a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. Because the money goes directly to charity – I hope you’ll consider the League – a QCD counts as a Required Minimum Distribution without adding to your adjusted gross income. You must be at least 70½ years old to make a QCD, which can be as much as $100,000 each year.

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Many families own a home that has been a gathering place for the family over generations. We are often asked how to keep such a property in the family and there are several techniques to consider, all of which have pluses and minuses, and may have financial costs as well. Most importantly, it is essential that you confirm with your children and their families that they wish to retain the property – with due respect, they may have other plans!

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Gifts of stock are a simple and powerful way to support the work that the Preservation League is engaged in every day. It also offers financial benefits to you!

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In your lovely (possibly historic) home, you have likely collected, and perhaps inherited, a lifetime of possessions — some of which may be financially valuable and many of which will have sentimental meaning to your family. What should you do with everything? The best advice based on years of experience is not to leave it for your heirs to deal with after you are gone, but to attend to it while you are alive.

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There’s nothing more critical – aside from good health! – than having your financial affairs in order. This is important for you and for your loved ones. There are four basic documents you want to have in place that you should discuss with your estate planning attorney.

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