American Red Cross of Central Florida 

Living Trusts

How to include the Red Cross in your trust

To include a gift to the American Red Cross Central Florida in your trust, please designate a specific amount or percentage to the "American Red Cross Central Florida."

Your gift will be used here in the local community to prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters and emergencies. American Red Cross Central Florida volunteers are sent throughout North America to help victims of disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.

What is a Living Trust?

A Living Trust is an asset management plan established during your lifetime. Just like a will, a Living Trust contains your instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die. But, unlike a will, a Living Trust avoids the probate court process. This can result in savings of time and expense to your heirs. Because there are many complicated issues involved in establishing a Living Trust, you should consult an attorney experienced in estate planning in your state of residence to draft your Living Trust.

Because a Living Trust will serve as your primary estate planning vehicle, you should prepare for your attorney meeting in the same manner as we suggested under the Wills section of this web site.

Who should have a Living Trust?

Age, marital status and level of wealth do not really matter. If you own titled assets and want your loved ones to avoid court interference at your death or incapacity, consider a Living Trust.

A Partial List of Benefits of a Living Trust

• Avoids probate at death, including multiple probates if you own property in other states
• Prevents court control of assets at incapacity
• Brings all your assets together under one plan
• Provides maximum privacy
• Quicker distribution of assets to beneficiaries
• Assets can remain in trust until you want beneficiaries to inherit
• Relatively easy to set up and maintain
• Can be changed or canceled at any time
• Difficult to contest
• Prevents probate court control of minors' inheritances
• Can protect dependents with special needs

How can I find out more?

Talk with your attorney, accountant, or advisor. Also, the American Red Cross of Central Florida would be pleased to assist you and your advisors in including the Red Cross in your estate planning. Please contact:

Ken Fagan
Gift Planning Officer
American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region
Phone: (407) 894-4141, ext. 4610
Toll Free: 1-866-262-2755
Fax: (407) 839-1613

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Headquarters: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone: (407) 894-4141

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