Estate Planning | Eagle Heights Baptist Church
Start your plan today!
Steward God’s Provision Wisely
Everything we have is a gift from God. Kingdom-minded estate planning acknowledges Christians’ role as stewards of these gifts. We’re commanded to use them for His glory during our lifetime and beyond. WatersEdge can help you pass on God’s provision through biblically grounded estate planning that provides for your family and advances ministry.
The Pattersons Make an Estate Plan. Go Along for the Ride.
Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
Start Here
We’ve been helping individuals and families impact God’s Kingdom through charitable estate planning for more than 50 years. Let our experienced staff guide you through the estate planning process as you seek to protect your family and support ministries that transform lives with the Gospel.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Get started with guidance from our team of estate planning professionals. Meet virtually with Zoom or Facetime, by phone or in person.
FINALIZE YOUR PLAN
We’ll review your guidebook, help you answer any remaining questions, and then send your information to an attorney of your choice who will draft your estate planning documents. You will then work with your attorney to complete and sign your plan.
Already Have an Estate Plan?
Life changes quickly, which is why we recommend reviewing or updating your estate plan every 5-10 years. Make an appointment for a free consultation with the WatersEdge estate planning team to ensure your plan is current.
Why Plan With Us?
Focus on Giving Back
Our estate planning experience is tailored for those with a desire to provide for their families as well as give back to God when they die, supporting Christian churches, ministries, organizations and institutions working to transform lives with the Gospel.
Legal Fee Reimbursement
We will reimburse a portion of your legal fees if your estate plan includes a gift to a partnering ministry of your choice. This means most estate plans completed through WatersEdge are free. You may choose either a gift of 10 percent of your estate or, a gift of $50,000 or greater. Learn more below or visit our FAQs. See a list of WatersEdge ministry partners at WatersEdgeServices.org/MinistryPartners.
Experience
For more than 50 years, our certified estate planning professionals have helped thousands of individuals and families create and update plans that protect families and support ministry.
“We have three children and we wanted to make sure they were going to be taken care of and it wouldn’t be left up to somebody else. We also wanted to make sure our possessions were going to Gospel ministries. WatersEdge was very easy to work with.”
Brent Prentice
Senior Pastor, Eagle Heights Baptist Church | Stillwater, Oklahoma
“An estate plan was the most logical and efficient means for my wife and me to honor our financial stewardship responsibility by determining and legally clarifying our intent for the distribution and utilization of our assets once our lives on this earth are completed.”
Leo Presley
Finance Committee, Eagle Heights Baptist Church | Stillwater, Oklahoma
“I think having an estate plan is important because God has given us stewardship over every part of our life, and we want to honor Him and glorify Him with every aspect. This is something that everybody needs to do, whether you think it’s something that you can put off or not.”
Ryan Smith
Lead Pastor, Arrow Heights Baptist Church | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Go Deeper
Estate Planning Basics
An estate plan is a set of essential legal documents that settle critical end-of-life decisions. Your estate plan may include the following:
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 Healthcare (“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 Healthcare also allows you to provide instructions about organ donation.
Legal Fee Reimbursement
WatersEdge will reimburse up to $500 in legal fees associated with creating or updating your estate plan if your plan includes a gift to a partnering ministry of your choice. This reimbursement covers all or most of the fees associated with most estate plans. However, for more complex estate plans, it is common for legal fees to exceed the $500 reimbursement threshold. In this case, you are responsible for paying the difference.
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.
FAQ
To learn more about charitable estate planning with WatersEdge, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
