Jesuit High School of Portland

Estate Planning 101: Not Just for Our Parents

Kristin Bryant

Kristin Bryant

By Kristin Bryant '97, Legacy Club and Former Board of Trustees Member

Jesuit High School was essential in shaping me into the person I am today. It helped form my values and worldview, provided opportunities for me to explore, challenged me to grow, encouraged me to learn, celebrated my successes, and surrounded me with community. However, it's only now, nearly 20 years after graduation, that I'm really beginning to appreciate the depth of Jesuit's impact and what an amazing and unique high school experience it was.

This appreciation for all that Jesuit has given me has led me to give back financially. Starting soon after graduation I began making small regular annual gifts. These gifts give me a chance to express my gratitude and help ensure that future Jesuit students could have the same experience that I had.

I have also decided to include a donation to Jesuit in my will. This may cause a moment's pause. While I don't think my feelings about Jesuit High School are unique among alumni, becoming a Legacy Club member at a young age is decidedly more rare. But I don't think it should be. Admittedly, my Estate Planning class in law school may have made me start thinking about my own will a earlier than most, but I know that many young alumni are reaching the life stage of writing their own first wills as they start their families. The Legacy Club isn't just for our parents or older alumni...this is the perfect time for all alumni to think about giving back to Jesuit.

I'm sure many young alumni face the same pressures I do in considering my annual gifts to Jesuit—my experience meant so much to me, and I'd love to be able to reflect this in the size of my gift. But then reality intrudes: a nonprofit career, a mortgage, property taxes, the electric bill, saving for retirement...and so the list gets bigger and my annual gift gets smaller than my heart might like. In writing my will, however, I can plan without these constraints, allocating my assets to reflect my values.

I was fortunate to find my way to Jesuit as a freshman, and I'm fortunate that the school is still a part of my life today. I hope that through my contributions, both now and through my estate, many other students will have the opportunity to say the same thing.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Jesuit High School Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Jesuit High School Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 9000 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97225, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Jesuit or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate, or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property, or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Jesuit as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Jesuit as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Jesuit where you agree to make a gift to Jesuit and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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