Divi Test
Estate Planning
Every family needs a plan. Find the one that fits yours.
Whether you need a straightforward will or you're ready to build a lasting gift to ministry, WatersEdge can help you take the next step — starting today.
Create a Simple Will
You want the essentials in place — who receives what, and who cares for your children. No charitable gift is required right now.
- Legally valid will for your state.
- Name guardians and an executor.
- Healthcare directive and power of attorney.
- Update it anytime at no cost.
Provided by WatersEdge through GiftWise
An Estate Plan That Includes a Gift
You want to leave a portion of your estate to your church, a ministry, or another Kingdom cause you love.
- Everything in Option 1, plus:
- Designate a qualifying gift to support ministry.
- Name a ministry from our approved list of Ministry Partners.
- May include a revocable trust.
- A WatersEdge advisor helps structure the gift.
- Referral to an attorney with partial attorney fee reimbursement.
Provided through WatersEdge
Talk With an Advisor About a Complicated Estate Plan that Includes a Gift
Your situation needs a professional's eye — succession planning for a business, farm or ranch, current income tax concerns or estate tax concerns.
- Everything in Option 2, plus:
- One-on-one review of your goals.
- Trusts, charitable gift annuities, endowments.
- Succession planning for a business or farm.
- Tax planning related to high value retirement plans.
- Coordination with your attorney and CPA.
A WatersEdge Advisor will reach out
Question 1 of 2
Would you like your plan to include a gift to your church, a ministry, or another charity?
Even a small percentage can make a lasting difference. You can change this later.
Do any of these describe your situation?
Check all that apply — or choose "None of these" to continue.
Your recommended starting place
Option 2 — An Estate Plan That Includes a Gift
We suggest that you start with Option 2 to begin completing our online Estate Planning Guidebook. Once you have submitted your Guidebook, we will contact you to schedule a meeting with one of our estate planning professionals.
Your recommended starting place
Option 3 — Talk With an Advisor
Your situation involves details an online tool can't handle well. A WatersEdge advisor can review your goals with you — at no cost — and coordinate with your attorney and CPA so nothing falls through the cracks.
About Our Estate Planning Services
Please read before continuing.
The purpose of WatersEdge is to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel. One way we accomplish that purpose is to provide our estate planning services to individuals who desire to leave a gift to WatersEdge for the benefit of an approved Ministry Partner. In order to qualify for those services, you should desire to leave a gift to WatersEdge for the benefit of an approved Ministry Partner.
Most donors qualify by leaving a gift at the time of the donor's passing (or the later passing of the donor's spouse) of at least 10% of the donor's remaining assets or a stated amount of $50,000. Donors may also qualify on the basis of a beneficiary designation of 10% of a retirement plan account or life insurance policy or by making a qualifying lifetime gift of $10,000.
Go back and select "Yes" or "Not at this time" or contact us at estateplan@watersedge.com for more information about our services.
The purpose of WatersEdge is to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel. One way we accomplish that purpose is to provide our estate planning services to individuals who desire to leave a gift to WatersEdge for the benefit of an approved Ministry Partner.
If you do not currently desire to leave a gift to WatersEdge for the benefit of an approved Ministry Partner, consider selecting Option 1 and determine if GiftWise is a good option for you. If not, contact an attorney for assistance.
Before You Begin
Please read and acknowledge the following.
- This is a document preparation tool, not legal advice. WatersEdge Advisors is not a law firm and does not practice law. GiftWise is an independent online service. Neither provides legal, tax, or investment advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
- This tool is not appropriate for everyone. If you have a blended family, desire a complicated distribution plan or if you have tax planning concerns, WatersEdge strongly recommends you seek the advice of a licensed attorney.
- Your will is not valid until you sign it. After you finish, you must print your documents and sign them exactly as the instructions direct — in most states that means signing in front of two adult witnesses who are not named in your will, and often a notary. Keep the signed originals where your family can find them.
- Oklahoma Specific Powers of Attorney GiftWise has power of attorney forms believed to be effective in Oklahoma. However, you may find the shorter, Oklahoma statutory power of attorney forms (for property decisions and health care decisions) on the Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. website here: https://oklaw.org/resource/powers-of-attorney-1.
- Review your plan when life changes. Marriage, divorce, a birth or death, a move to another state, or a significant change in assets can all affect your documents.
- Charitable gifts. If you designate a gift to a ministry, be certain to use the legal name of the organization with its city and state. You may search the ministry's website for the suggested gift language to be included in a will. If you designate a gift to WatersEdge, please contact our office at estateplan@watersedge.com so we can document your desired use of the funds.
Encourage Gifts to Ministry with an Estate Planning Event.
For most Christians, the best opportunity to make a significant financial gift to Kingdom work comes when they die, through their estate. That’s why charitable estate planning is such an important part of biblical stewardship and an essential tool for churches, ministries, Christian organizations and institutions.
To develop this giving pathway, WatersEdge offers estate planning seminars and events to educate prospective donors and assist them with creating or updating their plans. These events are designed to encourage estate gifts to your church or organization and are fully customizable, depending on your unique needs. Best of all, WatersEdge estate planning services are provided at no cost to your church or organization or to the individuals and families who create charitable estate plans.
Go Deeper
Estate Planning Basics
A. Last Will and Testament
A legal document that details your wishes for passing on your possessions at your death and names who will care for any minor children (under age 18) you leave behind. This is critical for single parents and for married couples in the event both spouses die.
Your last will and testament also includes your selection of a Personal Representative (also known as an Executor) for your estate. After your death, your Personal Representative will hire an attorney to file your will in probate court, so that assets in your name can be legally transferred to your heirs and other beneficiaries.
Without a will, the state will decide who inherits your belongings and who raises your children.
B. Health Care Power of Attorney
A legal document that grants authority to an individual you choose to act on your behalf regarding health care matters in the event you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. This authority is typically given to a spouse or family member. The Health Care Power of Attorney allows this person to access your medical information, work with your doctors to prepare a plan of care, and perform other important tasks on your behalf.
C. Financial Power of Attorney
A legal document that grants authority to an individual you choose to act on your behalf regarding financial matters in the event you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. This authority is typically given to a spouse or family member. The Financial Power of Attorney allows this person to pay your bills, access your bank accounts and perform other important tasks on your behalf.
D.Advance Directive for Health Care (“Living Will”)
A legal document that allows you to specify your wishes for end-of-life issues related to the use of life support, ventilators, feeding and hydration tubes, and resuscitation techniques like CPR. An Advance Directive for Health Care also allows you to provide instructions about organ donation.
Legal Fee Reimbursement
Legal Fee Reimbursement Qualifications
- If you wish to specify a percentage of your estate as a gift to ministry, then the percentage must be at least 10 percent of your estate to qualify for legal fee reimbursement.
- If you wish to specify a specific dollar amount from your estate as a gift to ministry, then the amount must be $50,000 or greater to qualify for legal fee reimbursement.
- Ask the WatersEdge estate planning team about other giving options that can qualify your estate plan for legal fee reimbursement, including gifts made during your lifetime or gifts made through a retirement account or life insurance.
Ministry Partners
Not all WatersEdge ministry partners are listed on our website, so please ask our estate planning team if you’re unable to find a ministry you wish to support. We frequently add new ministry partners, including some like-minded ministries not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. However, if you desire to support a ministry or organization whose purpose or ideology conflicts with Southern Baptists’ core beliefs as expressed in The Baptist Faith and Message, we may be unable to assist you.
