Serious question: Who should I name in my will?

[Courtesy Flush]

The reason I bring this up is because we're meeting with an attorney this week to make changes to our will. This was triggered by the local animal shelter (which is currently in our will) that has suddenly become a kill shelter, and we want to write them out.

But while we're doing that, we're also re-visiting our plans to leave money to relatives (all nieces and nephews, since we never had kids). If any of them were poor, or if they were working their way through college, we'd leave them something (not that we're planning to die any time soon). But they've all pretty much grown up and are near or over thirty years old now.

One of my pet peeves is that when people inherit money, they piss it away as fast as they can spend it. I've seen it happen too many times. People have no respect for the fact that their loved ones spent a lifetime trying to save up for their future. Inherited money means fancy car and lots of partying. I've seen it too many times.

But what I'm really asking about is non-profits that you'd recommend for a bequest. We're not talking about a fortune, but it means a lot to us, because we've worked a lifetime to pay off the house and save for retirement, and I'd like to know that if we were to die, our sacrifices will benefit something worthy.

So what would be your suggestions?

[enlightenment]

1. No one can answer your question but you.

But given your feelings about how your possible beneficiaries should react to your behest, I'd suggest you donate to an organization rather than people.

[Courtesy Flush]

8. I should have added this

A big chunk goes to Shriners Hospitals. I would not be able to walk if not for them, and they get the largest share of whatever we leave when we die.

The animal shelter is in our will because of my wife's passion for saving feral cats. It's super important to her, and the local shelter (which started killing cats en masse recently ) will no doubt be replaced by another animal rescue charity.

[ChazII]

15. An excellent suggestion.

If the OP can donate money to their local Shrine unit that would be a huge help. My dad is a Shriner and when my passed we asked that all donations be made to the Shriner Transportation fund. The local units are the ones who pay for the families transportation costs to the hospitals that are out of state and help with other travel expenses.

[MADem]

2. Homeless shelters and feeding centers (aka "soup kitchens")....

The poor may be always with us, but that's no reason why we shouldn't try to have fewer of them about--a lot of those places do job retraining, placement in addiction recovery, stuff like that.

Another good bet? Battered women's shelters. Nothing like safety for a mother and her children against abuse--very worthwhile cause.

[MattBaggins]

3. Me

[musiclawyer]

4. I'm not an estates and trusts attorney

But what you are asking is best left to your local attorney.
A will can be changed to benefit or disavow anyone. That's the easy part. The hard part is finding non profits you trust and that pursue the mission you want accomplished. Estate lawyers tend to figure out quickly ( or have contacts) regarding who is bona-fide and will make your bequest have the desired efficacy.

[roody]

5. Greenpeace and/or Sea Shepherd.

School of the Americas Watch.

[Tx4obama]

6. Even nieces and nephews in their 30s could have unforeseen financial problems in the future...

If you are close to them then leaving them something would be a good thing.

They are family

[Courtesy Flush]

10. Yeah, but

They'll piss away any money they inherit, then still be broke when that crisis comes.

My brother (their dad) inherited $70K from my mom. He dropped everything and flew to Vegas. Later, his house was foreclosed. That money could have saved his home. People!

[ChazII]

17. Shriners Hospitals'

would be great as they do not charge families for the medical help the child receives.

[WinkyDink]

23. And perhaps his children learned from that?

[Courtesy Flush]

32. Who knows

We'll probably leave them something, but they don't have any pressing needs, and lots of charities are in real need.

[Matariki]

7. I think perhaps the 'pissing away inheritence' can sometimes be grief related

maybe due in part to guilt about benefiting from the loss, or other reasons.

What about setting up a trust where the family recipients get the money after a few years?

[4 t 4]

22. there really is no answer to this if none of them

are in dire straights . Do you have heart felt feelings for any of them , I would use that first and keep in mind if you leave it to any foundation chances are it will most likely go to the things you don't even care about. Salaries, CEO pay outs , better offices ect...

[Matariki]

25. Did you intend this post in answer to mine?

Because if so, I'm not following

[SDjack]

9. I have never known an animal shelter that wanted to be a killing operation.

Lack of people to do adoptions and lack of money to provide staff, housing, food, and vet care push them into having to find other options, e.g.., other shelters willing to accept transfers, fostering, and killing. Before you give up on the shelter in your community, ask what it would take to stop the killing.

[Courtesy Flush]

11. There's been some shady business there since new management took over

People have been fired for asking questions. Donations are being misdirected. We'd rather just find someone we know we can trust.

[SDjack]

28. You obviously have compassion for animals in desperate need of help. Perhaps this will work.

Ask your bank to serve as trustee of your estate to release a fraction of the money to the shelter for each 12-month period that it operates without killing animals, except as certified by an independent vet as requiring humane euthanasia for medical reasons. If the bank wont do it, pick someone or organization that you trust to serve as trustee. (I got a very good friend at a killing shelter. The guy who did the killing was almost crying when I told him I was taking the dog.)
Oops -- didn't see response #12. Sorry about that.

[Courtesy Flush]

31. If only it were that simple

They've teamed up with a rather callous local vet who will put down any animal they tell him to. Large numbers of cats were being euthanized for ringworm, and other treatable issues (which we suspect they didn't have in the first place).

Regardless, we're not comfortable with them anymore, and that's reason enough to leave our money elsewhere.

[Mariana]

37. Some of them are being run for profit now. nt.

[okaawhatever]

12. Have you considered appointing an individual you respect and trust to give the money to causes based

on need and performance at the time you pass? You could set up a trust and a trustee with different amounts going to charities in certain groups based on how they perform. For example, 40% animal shelters, 30% environmental causes etc. etc. and they wouldn't necessarily have to give it out all at once. For example if there's a new shelter being set up they could give a small start-up amount, then if it performs well, they could give more the next year.

Also, have you asked the local shelter why they went to a kill shelter? Is it due to economic reasons? If so, would the decision be reversed if they raised more money? Some shelters kill only when an animal has a fatal disease and in a great deal of pain. Anything that can't be treated and puts the animal in great distress. We have one of those where I live but the decisions are made only when it's what's best for a suffering animal. Why let a dying animal suffer so you can claim no-kill?
Also, there are charities that rate and monitor charities. You can find out a great deal about charities and their performance.

Charity Navigator http://www.charitynavigator.org/
Charity Watch http://charitywatch.org/

[dimbear]

13. There is a politically active message board called Democratic Underground that I like, could use a

few bucks.

[llmart]

14. I have written into my will.....

a portion of my estate goes to a guide dog school in my area. The work they do is amazing.
There are so many worthy organizations. I'm sure you can find one whose values are akin to yours.

[Ms. Toad]

16. Friends Committee on National Legislation

The Friends Committee on National Legislation is a national lobby group which provides a voice that often counters the corporate lobby groups.

It is a faith based group which advocates for many things consistent with Democratic principles (immigration reform, Native American sovereignty/rights, peaceful resolution to conflicts, equity and justice issues). It does only work on areas in which Quakers agree (so it doesn't work for - or against same gender marriage or abortion, but it does work for civil rights for LGBT individuals (like ENDA), and for access to better family planning and resources for underserved populations - like children born into poverty.) It is well respected for its integrity, and has a voice far more weighty than its size would indicate.

It is a paired a 501(c)(3) arm (tax exempt - because it is the educational arm) and a 501(c)(4) arm (which is not tax exempt because it engages in lobbying).

http://fcnl.org/

Full disclosure: I'm on the General Committee, the governing body for the organization.

[Historic NY]

18. Well I'm spending mine so no one has to decide or fight...

I've fixed several charities to get a "specific" sum from my insurance...books to a liibrary, vehicles to auctions...

[demwing]

19. Two places:

1. Ronald McDonald House - helps parrnts with terminally ill children by providing free meals and housing close to major hospital. My personal experience with this organization was amazing.

2. Make-a-Wish foundation.

Im betting everyon knows Make A Wish, but you really can not comprehend the effect that either org can have on a sick child or their family.

[pnwmom]

20. You could set up an educational trust for the children

of your nieces and nephews, if you wanted to keep some of it in the family.

But there are many other worthy causes you could donate to. One thing to find about from any organization is how much donations actually go to services, rather than to overhead.

Off the top of my head, Meals on Wheels (sometimes with different local names) is a wonderful organization that relies heavily on volunteer labor to keep their costs down. It is a great help to seniors trying to stay out of nursing homes. Just having that one good meal and a human connection 5 days a week makes a huge difference.

[Coyotl]

21. Research micro-loaning institutions.

[Earth_First]

24. Remote Area Medical

http://www.ramusa.org/

[Uben]

26. Good question

I have a neighbor in his late eighties. He and his wife, who passed a few years ago, were both career teachers. They scrimped and saved their entire lives and amassed about three million dollars. They have no kids, only a brother and his two kids, who are chomping at the bit to get that money. I suggested he leave a portion to go into scholarships because the schools are where the money came from. Dunno if he did it, but he seemed receptive to the idea. So, you might think along the lines of what you would like to see the money do after you are gone. I am an avid fisherman and enjoy putting together Kid Fish events for the local youngsters. We purchase fish and put them in small ponds for the kids to catch. We cook em burgers and hotdogs and everything is free. I am leaving some money to be used for that purpose in my will. I also have money earmarked for the local youth center because that's where I spent my summers as a kid. I see it as giving back to things that made my life better and me a better person. I bet there is something you would like to see carried on that you benefitted from while growing up.

[elleng]

27. Doctors Without Borders,

and Public TV/Radio stations you like.

[Courtesy Flush]

29. DWB is an excellent recommendation. nt

[tammywammy]

30. you can set up a trust for the family.

There are a variety of options, but one would be a trust that pays out to family if you don't think they're responsible. You should talk to a financial planner.

[JI7]

33. are there certain causes which are important to you ? how about scholarship money ?

since your nieces and nephews are adults. you can leave scholarship funds for some lower income people.

maybe there is a charity which does this you can donate to.

[NightWatcher]

34. Children's Hospitals that don't charge the patients or families

[Trailrider1951]

35. How about this one?

Posted by EarthFirst:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024054968

Even with Obamacare, some poor people fall through the cracks and need help now.

[roody]

36. Best Friends Animal Society