Do you have a will?

If you do not have a will, you are not alone. According to a 2014 report for BC Notaries, just 55 per cent of British Columbians have a signed, legally valid and up-todate will. A will is the best way to ensure that the people, charities and organizations you cherish most receive the benefit of your estate. Without a will, your estate may not be distributed in the way you would have wished and the costs of administering your estate may be higher.

You don’t need to be rich to leave a legacy.You can leave money to your family and to your favourite charity and you do not have to choose between the two.

Here are some ways that you can make a legacy gift:

• Gifts in a will

• RRSPs and RRIFs designations

• Life insurance

• Charitable remainder trusts

• Residual interest gifts

• Appreciated securities

For more information about how you can make a strategic charitable gift, speak with your financial advisor or consult with your charity of choice on how best to structure your legacy gift.

The Vancouver Island Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP)in Victoria is one of 19 local Chapters across Canada. cagpvancouverisland@gmail.com cagp-acpdp.org