Legacy Giving Forms & Resources

Resources to Start Planning Your Legacy

Estate Planning Toolkit

What Is Estate Planning? Estate planning is just a legal term for what you want to happen to your money and other assets when you die or become disabled. It also includes specifics about your medical wishes and who you want to take care of your children or pets. It’s made up of documents like:

  • A will
  • Letter of instruction
  • Financial power of attorney
  • Medical power of attorney
  • Beneficiary designations
Your estate plan can be simple or complicated. But if you go without an estate plan, a lot of things could happen that you never wanted—like the state taking control when you’d much rather your assets go to deserving loved ones. You don’t necessarily need to pay a lawyer to draw one up. Most people can create their estate plan entirely online in the comfort of their favorite armchair. However, if you do have a large estate, hiring an estate planning attorney might help with all the ins and outs. There are plenty of ways a solid estate plan can benefit you and your family. 1. Taking the time to put your plan together shows you care enough about your loved ones to look after them when you’re gone. 2. It can also be a good way to minimize estate taxes. 3. Plus, it gives you a legacy you can be proud of and peace of mind knowing the wealth you’ve worked hard to build ends up exactly where you want it to.

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Estate Planning Checklist

Creating your estate plan can seem complicated. That’s why we created this estate planning checklist. It’ll give you everything you need to get your life organized.

    1. Make a List of Your Assets
    2. Consider Your Needs
    3. Get a Will
    4. Choose the People You Want in Your Estate Plan
    5. Assign Items to Your Beneficiaries
    6. Write a Letter of Instruction
    7. Communicate
    8. Make Copies and Distribute Your Documents
    9. Store Your Documents

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Sample Bequest Language

Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.

The David Lynch Foundation suggests the following language for bequests:

Your attorney may wish to use the following language when making a bequest to the David Lynch Foundation:
“I give, devise, and bequeath the David Lynch Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the federal tax id #83-0436453, located at 685 Third Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10017, the sum of $_______ (or describe the real or personal property or portion of the estate) to be used for general purposes.”

When filling out documents with your legal authority or attorney please provide the following information:

  • David Lynch Foundation’s legal name is [The David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace].
  • David Lynch Foundation’s mailing address is: [The David Lynch Foundation], Development Office – Planned Gifts, 685 Third Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
  • David Lynch Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Our tax ID is #83-0436453. Please list “charity” as your relationship to the beneficiary.

Planned Gift Intention Form

Please complete this form to share the details of your planned gift intentions to the David Lynch Foundation. This form is for informational purposes only and your estate will not be legally bound by submitting this statement.

Please work with your attorney or representative to include these intentions in your estate planning so that the David Lynch Foundation can receive your gift. Your intentions remain revocable and can be modified at any time. Please inform us should your intent change and know that this information will be held in complete confidence.

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As with any decision involving your assets, we recommend that you seek the advice of your attorney when considering a planned gift. Thank you again for your generosity and support of our mission, helping people prevent and eradicate the all-pervasive epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at risk populations through promoting widespread implementation of the evidence based Transcendental Meditation® (TM) program in order to improve their health, cognitive capabilities and performance in life. The David Lynch Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Our tax ID is #83--436453