We want to be of service to friends, alumni, and parents of students at Malone University! If you need to write a will, trust or just begin the estate planning process, we can provide the tools you need.

Please click on www.malone.edu/planned giving, and on the left sidebar, click on the “Will Planning Wizard”. This will get you started. Or, please call Nancy Wagner at 330.471.8281; or, feel free to email her at nwagner@malone.edu.

With this year’s challenges and accomplishments still fresh in your mind, now is a good time to review and update your estate plans. To help you in this process, we have constructed a checklist of financial estate planning actions for you to go over as the end of the year rolls closer. And, when giving at year-end, depending on the gift arrangements you choose, you can: reduce income taxes, increase your spendable income, eliminate capital gains tax, attain no-cost, worry-free asset management.

• Complete charitable contributions to Malone or other charities by Dec. 31.
• As you think about special holiday gifts, remember that making charitable gifts to Malone can offer you tax benefits for this tax year.
• Review your current will and trust. Major changes in one’s life signals perhaps changing your estate documents.
• Take inventory and make a written record of safe-deposit box contents. Give copy to a trusted family member.
• Review your beneficiary designations for your life insurance and retirement plans.
• Verify that your durable power of attorney for health care and living will are current.
• Be sure you are comfortable with the guardian named for your minor children or grandchildren in your care.

• A gift of cash.
• Donate stocks, mutual funds or real estate.
• Contribute personal property, such as artwork, antiques or other collectibles.

Hostels Staying at a hostel is an inexpensive option to consider. While hostels have historically offered shared dormitory and bathroom accommodations with other guests, many hostels today are offering private rooms, swimming pools, free Internet, along with kitchens that guests can use to cook their own food. To search, see hostels.com and hostelworld.com.

Short-Term Apartment If you’re planning on visiting a resort or vacation city in the U.S. or foreign country for a week or more, renting a fully furnished apartment can save you the expense of a hotel and eating out every meal. Short-term apartment rentals are available through managed property brokers and individual owners. To search, go to any online search engine, type in your destination city plus short-term apartments (example: “Branson MO short-term apartments”)

We intend for this to be a valuable resource to assist with achieving your gift planning, tax, financial and estate planning goals. If you have comments or questions, please let us know how we’re doing. And, if you’re looking for ways to get the most out of the active senior lifestyle, The Planner e-Newsletter will provide helpful senior tips covering travel, health screenings, safe home furnishings, general health topics, current events and other news. It is our desire to serve you.