October 20-24, 2014 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week – a reminder that it’s never too early or too late in life to think about the plans you have in place for your future and the financial well-being of your family.

Some points to consider:

• How much money should you leave to your heirs?
• Do you have enough money to live on for the rest of your life?
• Is there a cause or organization that you want to include in your planned giving?

Your answers to these and other questions will determine how your legacy will make a difference in the lives of your loved ones and your community.

If you do not currently have an estate plan, now is the perfect time to begin this very important process. Taking the appropriate steps toward creating an estate plan helps avoid the need for a court-appointed guardian for minor children. Having a formal, legally recognized plan also helps your family avoid spending a lot of time and money navigating the probate process after your death.

If you already have an estate plan, it’s a great idea to periodically review the details and determine if changes in your life now call for adjustments to your will and other plans. Reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years is very important to ensure that your plan is consistent with current tax laws and your personal goals.

There are a number of resources for you to take advantage of as you prepare to organize your estate. You should plan to meet with a financial planner who can walk you through each step. Online resources also give you a good idea of what to consider and expect. Checklists and general documents will help you gather important information.

Please consult a respected financial consultant or attorney to make sure that every detail is responsibly considered and put in place.

If supporting the health of your community is important to you, you can achieve your goals through gifts to the Parkview Foundations. The Parkview Foundations exist to allow you the opportunity to support the care provided in your community. Your planned gifts to Parkview Foundations will be used to fund essential needs that include the following:

• new healthcare equipment
• enhanced health services
• the expansion of medical facilities
• access to medication
• assistance to Parkview patients and their families

Contact the Parkview Foundations at (260) 373-79790 or Foundation@parkview.com if you would like to discuss opportunities to support excellent patient care through your legacy.