Plan Wisely. Give Generously. Leave a Legacy.

Estate planning isn’t just about distributing your assets—it’s about stewarding your gifts with wisdom and intention. Faithward Advisors and our estate planning partner Aevitas Law can help you think ahead, so you can care for your family and bless the ministries you cherish.

It’s easy to delay estate planning, but failing to plan can cost your loved ones dearly—and the taxing authorities won’t wait. Consider a few celebrity examples that show how even people with great wealth can miss key steps.

• Tom Clancy, the bestselling author, left behind a $90 million estate. But unclear tax planning caused $12 million in taxes to fall entirely on his children’s $28.5 million share, while their stepmother’s $60 million share went untaxed. (Source: Baltimore Sun)
• Sammy Davis Jr., beloved entertainer, left behind a generous will—but he also had massive IRS debt from outdated tax shelters. His estate owed $5 million at death, which eventually ballooned to over $7 million, overshadowing the gifts he intended to leave. (Source: NPR)
• James Gandolfini, of Sopranos fame, left behind $70 million—but poor structuring left his heirs facing a $30 million tax bill. Instead of dividing $70 million, his family shared over 40% of their wealth with Uncle Sam. (Source: Forbes)

With thoughtful planning, you can reduce tax burdens and maximize your legacy. For example, retirement accounts like IRAs are heavily taxed when left to individuals, but they can pass tax-free to charitable organizations. This allows you to support ministries you care about, while passing more tax-efficient assets to your family.

The professionals at Faithward Advisors and Aevitas Law can help you create a plan that’s smart, generous, and aligned with your values. Don’t wait; the best time to plan is now.

Let’s talk about how your estate can reflect both your love for your family—and your faith!

 Sources: Yahoo Finance, Reuters.com, and JP Morgan Market Insights. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Faithward Advisors LLC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. Dream More, Plan More, Do More is a registered trademark of Faithward Advisors, LLC, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Any opinions expressed in this forum are not the opinion or view of Faithward Advisors or American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS). They have not been reviewed by either firm for completeness or accuracy. These opinions are subject to change at any time without notice. Any comments or postings are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Investments are not guaranteed, involve risk and may result in a loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments are not suitable for all types of investors.