A Lasting Testimony

Individuals are often able to make significant gifts to family, close friends, and special charities through their Last Will and Testament, especially when there is not a surviving spouse. Gifts to family may be outright bequests, or they may be in the form of trusts. Gifts to charity may also be outright bequests, or they may be deferred gifts such as charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities. Charitable gifts made at death are generally eligible for estate tax deductions.