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Find an attorney you trust, have them draw up a simple Will, leaving your estate to anyone or organization(s) you choose. Give a signed copy to that person and/or organization and appoint the attorney as executor. There are many small charities that do not have high overhead or you might find a family within your community/church that you might consider.
I market a legal plan that includes will preparation and the hardest thing is getting people to get their will done. Many people think if they do it that will make them die quicker. The thing is if you do make a Will your respective state has a process in place to settle your estate. If you don't make your wishes known they will decide for you.
As for a trust that option should be addressed with an Attorney because just from an expense probate could be costly.
I too have no children.
I have a living will, where I can make changes, if needed. Revocable or irrevocable.
I have an assigned power of attorney, and she is also my medical directive. She knows me very well, and I've told her everything abt my burial plans as well.
I made it before I went in for heart surgery, and after my parents died.
In fact, I need to make a few changes to it, thanks for reminding me..
Location: West of the Catalinas East of the Tortolitas
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If you're in Arizona, you need to remember it's a community property state. You'll need a will and probably a trust with a trustee such as a lawyer, accountant, or good friend your trust. You'll want them to be trustworthy and distribute your assets as you have stated in the codicil to your will. Having a trust and a Trustee will keep your wishes in tact and protect your assets from those heirs who might make a claim to your estate, which the state would allow without a will or a trust. .
I think you can look up the comparative overhead for various charities.
Perhaps there's some cultural organization you like that would really appreciate it - a museum, an opera company, or even PBS. Or perhaps you'd like to bequeath it to a school or even set up a scholarship in your name.
Location: Subconscious Syncope, USA (Northeastern US)
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You could leave it to a relative. You don't have to like the relative.
Unforgiveness is a poison we take in an attempt to kill the other guy. Your estate no matter how large or small, could help change a life and better your family overall. It might also help make leaving this world a more peaceful and fulfilling experience for you. You are not only letting go of your worldy goods, but also letting go of worldy resentment and ills.
Then again, I understand what it means to need to stay away too, but you might want to reconsider that choice - I'm just saying.
What is important to you? You can leave it to your community - to build something it needs. Funds for a community garden or park or playground, to help preserve a natural area, to buy a piece of medical equipment for a nearby hospital, new gear for the volunteer ambulance or fire department. To help update the local school or public library with books and computers, etc. To help build or update a kitchen and/or food bank for the needy in your community. If you are religious, to help update your church, temple etc.
All organized charities take the lion's share of donations for administration costs. If I went the charity route, Id try to keep it on a more grass-roots level.
I have a special place in my heart for animals and the mentally ill. Those that often find themselves dumped and forgotten by society. What do you have a special place in your heart for?
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