Giving
Catholic Estate and Personal Planning Seminars
Catholic Estate and Personal Planning Seminars are one of the many services offered by the Office of Development. These seminars can be conducted at parishes, schools and for other diocesan organizations. The Planned Giving staff offer these seminars to help parishioners practice and learn stewardship of assets and assist them in navigating through the sometimes complex process of personal and estate planning.
Statistics indicate that these types of seminars are greatly needed. In the United States over 70% of those who die each year do not have a will. Of those who do have wills, many of these wills are invalid or out of date.
What others are saying about the seminars:
"It [the seminar] was very informative and gave us pause in thinking about our future. I had many positive comments".
Donna Gorton, President, Cathedral of St. Thomas More Council of Catholic Women
"This seminar should be given at every parish throughout the Diocese of Arlington".
Merle Senyk, Administrative Assistant for Facilities & Events, Our Lady of Good Council
Seminar attendees learn the basics of good estate planning. Topics of discussion include:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Health Care and General Powers of Attorney
- Probate
- When to update your will
- Other gift options vehicles for estate planning
All attendees receive:
- A comprehensive 32 page estate planning workbook
- The most up-to-date version of the Catholic Advance Medical Directive for the state of Virginia which includes sample draft documents
During and after the seminar, diocesan staff will answer individual questions that pertain to various estate planning topics. These seminars have been well received by attendees, who learn that having a valid will is a way to practice good stewardship of one's treasures.
For more information on estate planning seminars please contact Lou Ann Armstrong, Director of Special Gifts for Planned and Deferred Giving, at (703) 841-3819 or email: l.armstrong@arlingtondiocese.org