Wills and Trusts

Having a will is important. It provides peace of mind that your assets will be properly distributed for the benefit of designated loved ones and charitable organizations. Dying without a will results in your assets being distributed per state law. Close relatives will share in your estate, but sometimes not in a manner that you would have preferred.

If you are contemplating having a will drawn up, it is highly recommended that you seek the services of an experienced attorney. Some prefer the do-it-yourself approach. Unfortunately, with periodic changes in federal and state statutes, it is difficult to draw up a properly prepared will without the assistance of a qualified professional.

Prior to meeting your attorney, it is suggested that you take written inventory of all your assets, determine their current market value. Be sure to include life insurance and retirement benefits as well (policies you own plus any offered as part of your employment benefits package). You may calculate your net estate by deducting your debts. Most people are surprised to learn they have an estate larger than they had originally thought. Next, list those persons and/or organizations you wish to remember in your will.

A bequest to MS Focus: The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is a meaningful way to create a memorial that lives on to help those affected by MS. There are four common options for structuring a bequest to the Foundation. Your attorney can suggest the most appropriate option and wording for you.

  1. PERCENTAGE. A designated percentage of your estate. Your bequest grows as your estate grows.
  2. FIXED AMOUNT. A specific dollar amount or property (i.e. securities or real estate).
  3. RESIDUAL. A bequest made of the remainder of an estate after other bequests have been made.
  4. CONTINGENT. In the event other named beneficiaries do not survive, a bequest is designated to a charity.

Specific reference to the Foundation as a beneficiary in a will should be as follows:

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Inc.
(EIN 59-2792934)
6520 N. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-2130