Resources for Estate Planning and Navigating Care for You & Your Loved Ones

On this page, you will find information to help you navigate difficult decisions, including:

• Estate planning

• Care planning for you and your loved ones

• Support offered by Beacon

• Opportunities to support Beacon through planned giving

Estate Planning

Getting Your Affairs In Order (National Institute on Aging)

Life File Checklist (Death with Dignity)

What is a Power of Attorney? (AARP)

Power of Attorney (American Bar Association)

Have You Named a Legal Guardian for Your Kids? (The New York Times)

New Jersey Guardianship Frequently Asked Questions (New Jersey Department of Human Services)

Special Needs Trusts (PLAN NJ)

Inventory for Digital Assets and Digital Devices (STEP)

Estate Planning Workbook for Visual Artists (Joan Mitchell Foundation)

Estate Planning for Music Copyright Owners (ASCAP)

Care Planning

Your Decisions Matter Conversation Starter Guide (Institute for Healthcare Improvement)

Five Wishes Sample Worksheet [Power of Attorney and Health Care Plan] (Aging with Dignity)

Conversation of Your Life [end-of-life decisions] (New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute)

Advance Care Planning (New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute)

Source for referrals and tools for caring for a loved one with dementia or an older adult (link to Sage Eldercare)

Support Offered by Beacon

Beacon’s Chaplain Ministry extends the spiritual care of our community, including at times of caregiving, transitions, illness, grief, disability, and isolation.

You can reach out to a member of Beacon’s Lead Ministry Team (Rev. Emilie, Rev. Robin, Dr. Tuli) to share your wishes for funeral or remembrance services.

Planned Giving

Making a planned gift to Beacon sustains our shared values, pays forward what others have given us, strengthens our mission in the community and the world, assures a vibrant future for Unitarian universalism, and lowers taxes on your estate. Planned gifts can be made through bequests, proceeds from life insurance policies, or through arrangements as part of your estate planning or at any time in your life.

Contact stewardship@summitbeacon.org for more information.

If you are over age 70 1/2 and have an IRA, consider giving to Beacon using Qualified Charitable Distributions. It can be particularly beneficial if you have Required Minimum Distributions. Contact your financial advisor to discuss your options.

Give stock to Beacon. Read more about the process at summitbeacon.org/member-resources-stock-gifts.