Is it time to update your estate plan?

The stage of life you are in affects your estate plan, making it wise to review your will or trust annually. When reviewing your will or trust keep these questions in mind:

• Does it reflect what's important to you and your family?
• Is it up to date with current tax laws?
• Does it appropriately provide for your children?
• Are Executor-Trustees named still valid?
• Does it include your favorite charities?
• Are unnecessary taxes eliminated?

Realizing that everything belongs to God and we are His caretakers or stewards, it is clear that estate planning is part of our spiritual responsibility for the assets God entrusts to us. It allows us to pass our assets on in a way that honors God and furthers His work.

If you would like free assistance to help you work on your estate plan please contact

Ken Schemper 616.224.0721

Lois Craven 616.224.0751.

Any asset you own may become a charitable gift.

Most gifts to Christian charities are in the form of cash. This may not always be the most tax-efficient way to give. 

It may surprise you to know that many assets may be more tax-efficient to give then cash.  Consider gifts of stock, Real estate, business interests, grain, life insurance or tangible personal property.

The federal tax law makes gifts of appreciated assets (assets that have grown in the value) more advantageous than giving cash.

It will actually cost you less to give a gift of appreciated assets to your favorite Christian charity.

Benefits of giving appreciated assets include: appreciation on charitable gifts is not subject to capital gains tax; you receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the gift.

For more information contact

Ken Schemper 616.224.0721

Lois Craven 616.224.0751

Disappointed with the CD rates?

A Charitable Gift Annuity will raise your spirits and your income.

A Gift Annuity is a contract between you and a qualified charity, which exchanges a gift to charity for an annuity (guaranteed lifelong income). A Gift Annuity can also be created for a married couple, providing lifetime payments for both of you.

Charitable Gift Annuities may be funded with cash, stock or other assets.

Your income from a gift annuity depends upon your age. The older you are when you begin a gift annuity to higher the return.  Also, if you choose to defer annuity payments, you will increase the amount of your annual income.  The longer the deferral, the higher the annual annuity rate will be. Once you establish a Gift Annuity, your payment amount is fixed and guaranteed for life.

Benefits of a gift annuity include: a fixed income to you for your lifetime; immediate income tax deduction at the time you create a gift annuity; a portion of the annual payment you receive is tax-exempt resulting in a higher effective rate of return; money in a gift annuity generally is not included in your estate for inheritance and estate tax purposes.

For more inforamtion contact

Ken Schemper 616.224.0721

Lois Craven 616.224.0751