Will vs Trust – Which one to choose?

A Will and a Trust are both ways for you to say who will receive your assets. They do it in different ways and each has advantages and disadvantages. One of the differences is how and when they take effect. A will does not take effect until you pass away. A trust takes effect upon signing the legal document.

A will is a set of instructions that directs those assets you own individually, with no designated beneficiary, and appoints a personal representative to administer your estate after you pass. Generally, a will must go through probate where it is examined by an authorized court administrator which can be a lengthy and cumbersome process. In most cases a will becomes public upon your death.

Your will does not cover some types of assets. Any accounts that you own jointly with another individual will automatically pass to the survivor without going through the probate process. Retirement accounts and life insurance policies will have beneficiaries named in the original documents.

A trust, like a will, directs how your assets will pass to your beneficiaries, but it may be funded during your lifetime and can provide for incapacity planning as well. Your trust can outline a plan for what actions to take if you are unable to make your own decisions and need help from your family members.

A trust can provide some benefits that you wouldn’t typically get with a will, with more privacy and without the costs and hassle of probate court and is less likely to be successfully challenged. A trust can hold assets for your own benefit and for a third party’s benefit and can outline specific rules for how assets will be distributed both during your lifetime and after your death.

If you create a trust, you will need to fund that trust. Any assets that you want your trust to control will need to be titled in the name of your trust.

A trust allows you to appoint a trustee to manage your trust. You can serve as trustee of your trust and name a successor trustee for a time when you are no longer able or no longer want to act as trustee. A trustee will have the authority to address problems and handle complicated issues on your behalf.

Keep in mind retirement accounts and life insurance policies will have beneficiaries named in the
original documents. It’s a good idea to periodically confirm that the beneficiary listed is still living and your intended recipient.

Having a plan in place while you are still in good health will help ensure that your estate is handled the way you intend. It can also be one of your greatest gifts to your loved ones who will be guided by your instructions. The choice of a will or a trust is yours and can depend on your specific
financial and personal circumstances. There are many situations in which you will want both vehicles.

Your legal advisor can guide you through the options and help you decide what’s best for you and your family. If you’ve already made the choice, be sure to review the documents periodically to make sure they still reflect your wishes.

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Always consult an attorney before making decisions about your estate plan.

Are your finances ready for the holidays?

Here are a few tips for keeping your finances under control during the holiday season.

Set a holiday budget:  Before the holiday madness starts, take a look at your budget and figure out how much you can reasonably spend on gifts and holiday merriment.  Knowing your total budget in advance is the best first step to making sure things stay under control this holiday season.

Reduce unnecessary expenses:  Take a look at your bank account or credit card bill.  Is there anything you normally “splurge” on that you could cut out this month?  This is a good time to review some of your spending habits.

Make a list and prioritize it:  Determine your top financial priorities for this holiday season and make sure you allocate budget to those first.  For the non-essential purchases, think about where you could save a little by making a homemade gift or “giving” your time instead.

Track your holiday spending:  Document every gift, hostess gift, new holiday outfit, so you can easily track how much you are spending vs. how much you have left in your holiday budget.

 

 

Planning for Your Future – 5 Essential Documents

There are important estate planning documents you should have for your benefit and the benefit of those you leave behind. We hope this list will help you get organized. You may want to review them with your family as well as your attorney and financial advisor.

Advance Directive
Often referred to as a living will, this document lists your wishes related to medical care and procedures when you are unable to communicate.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Included in your Advance Directive, you can appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated and can’t make them for yourself.

Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
This POA appoints an agent to help manage your financial affairs. It could be structured to become effective immediately, to take effect at a future date, or triggered upon an event such as incapacity.

Trust
A revocable living trust directs how your assets are to be used both during your lifetime and after your death. You will want to contact a trusted attorney to explore whether a trust would best facilitate your intentions.

Last Will and Testament (Will)
Your Will appoints beneficiaries and directs assets distribution after death.

Business Hours

Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Friday by Appointment Only

We are closed on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • President’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

Financial Assistance through Willamette View Foundation

Are you interested in receiving Financial Assistance from the Willamette View Foundation?  We have resources that have already been accumulated to help you.  Using our Resident Assistance Program does not require the redirection of funds that could be used for other needs of the Willamette View community.

What can the Foundation do for you?

The Foundation can help when ends don’t meet. We have resources available to assist with your Willamette View bill when you have out lived your  resources.

How do you ask for help?

Just give us a call and we’ll walk you through our very easy application process.  Your request for assistance will be reviewed by the Willamette View Foundation’s Board of Directors, with anonymity, on a case-by-case basis after an evaluation of your specific circumstances.

What are some standards to keep in mind and what is expected of the residents?

  • Residents are expected to preserve and mange their assets wisely, including maintaining appropriate insurance.
  • Residents must have used their resources for reasonable recreation and personal expenses, including reasonable charitable contributions and gifts to friends and family.
  • Residents should strive to live within their financial means and refrain from extravagant spending.
  • Residents should obtain necessary medical care through economical means based on individual circumstances.

If You Need Help, We Are Here – The facts on receiving financial assistance

The Willamette View Foundation’s main purpose is to serve as the safety net for the residents of Willamette View who may come to a point in their lives when they have exhausted their funds through no fault of their own.  We have been providing financial assistance to Willamette View residents for 52 years

Asking for help is hard, but we are here to help. You can come directly to us; we’ll make the process as straight forward and easy as possible.

Here is what you need to know:

  • All Willamette View Inc. residents can apply for assistance.
  • All applications are reviewed by the Foundation Board of Directors on a case-by-case anonymous basis.
  • Residents must meet the Eligibility Standards to be approved for assistance.
  • The assistance program supplements your monthly income to cover your costs at Willamette View.
  • There is a special policy for couples.
  • Approved residents will begin receiving assistance as soon as all other resources have been depleted.
  • Financial Assistance is funded solely by generous donations from our supporters and investment earnings.
  • No qualified resident has ever been turned down. Over $10.5 million dollars in assistance has been  paid to Willamette View on behalf of residents unable to pay their monthly bill.

Think before you click

Phishing is the fraudulent attempt by scammers to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.  The communications have expanded to text messages and social media platforms in addition to emails and letters.

You are familiar with the concept.  You hear warnings regularly.  Unfortunately, the scammers are working diligently to come up with new ways to trick you into providing your personal information.  The Oregon Consumer Protection division is warning of new tactics.  The IRS also publishes warnings to reveal tax scams.  We have accumulated a short list of tips and warnings from both agencies

Some you may already know about; others might not be on your radar.  Follow these tips to protect yourself against phishing attacks:

Keep your software up to date:  The latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats.

Do not click:  Rather than clicking on a link, even if it looks to be from someone you know, type the website name yourself.  Scammers can create a phony website that can infect your computer or steal your information.

Trust your instincts:  If it sounds too good to be true or asks for your personal information, do not engage.  If something seems suspicious, do not respond and most importantly, delete it.

Make a call:  If you think it might be a legitimate contact, call the company yourself.  Find the number independently.  Do not use the phone number from the email or text.

Don’t act quickly:  Be wary of anything that prompts you to act immediately.  Scammers attempt to instill fear and urgency.  Refrain from engaging potential scammers online or on the phone.

Fake Charities:  Fraudulent charity schemes usually start with unsolicited contact by phone, text, email, or social media.  Bogus websites often use names similar to legitimate charities to trick people into sending money or providing personal financial information.  Request the tax identification number which can be used to verify their legitimacy.  You can then use the search tool on irs.gov website.

IRS Contact:  The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a tax bill, refund, or Economic Impact Payment.  Don’t click on links claiming to be from the IRS.  The IRS will also never threaten you with a demand for immediate payment, ask for financial information over the phone, or call unexpectedly.

Thankfully, we are all becoming more aware of Phishing emails and are using discretion while choosing to respond.  Use that same caution with texts and social media.  These tips are a good reminder to always stay alert and vigilant in order to keep your personal and financial information safe.

Willamette View Foundation – We are here for you

Willamette View Foundation is a free assistance service that is here to help pay the way for residents who are no longer able to meet their living costs at Willamette View and to assist residents with managing their daily bills.  If you are running out of money or struggling to keep up with your  finances, please know Willamette View Foundation is here to help you.

Our programs are funded by resources that have been accumulated and safeguarded for over 50 years.  They have come from donors, investment returns, and in the past, even resident activities on campus supported our Resident Assistance Fund.

Willamette View Foundation’s assistance program offers Willamette View residents a source of comfort and relief from the burden of following up on income and benefits, paying bills, balancing a checkbook, straightening out billings and balances, matching up medical bills and insurance, paperwork, and monitoring credit card statements.  The Foundation prepares quarterly reports for residents to review and keep abreast of their finances. We also consolidate and summarize all the information needed by the tax preparer to complete both Federal and Oregon individual tax returns.

These functions are available to residents receiving a direct subsidy as well as those participating in our management services program.  Both groups of residents receive assistance that is designed to provide peace of mind and financial security.  For some, the Foundation is the one place they know they can turn when they are not able to manage on their own, for others, it’s time to let go of those financial concerns.

The Foundation staff is available to help you with bill payment, tracking your spending, and explaining changes with your medical insurance.  In addition, we are always happy to help residents with miscellaneous problems or issues that are causing them anxiety; we’re here to lend a hand, a sympathetic ear, and words of encouragement.

Here are a few important facts about the assistance program:

Our assistance supplements your resources to cover your cost of living expenses at Willamette View.

Our assistance program is funded by donations and provided at no cost to Willamette View residents and all residents can apply for assistance.

Our assistance program is well funded and poised to meet the needs of current Willamette View residents.  

We have a Special Policy for Couples whose resources have been depleted by ones move to the Health Center.

 

 

Protecting Your Finances During Uncertain Times

Despite all of the financial uncertainty due to COVID-19, there are ways to protect your finances during the pandemic and market volatility. The market has the ability to rebound. We’ve seen some of that already.   It is important to remain calm and flexible to maintain financial stability during this time. Focus on the things you can control.

Remain Financially Flexible

According to experts, most sectors of the economy will likely recover quickly once the pandemic gets under control, but in the meantime, deciding what you can eliminate from your spending allows your finances to quickly adapt to our ever-changing economy.  Portfolio values fluctuate in a volatile market, avoid recognizing losses by reducing or eliminating draws from your portfolio.   If you are drawing from your savings monthly, this is a good time for self-reflection to create financial goals you can stick with through a crisis.  We have benefited from a thriving economy for many years, but it is time to practice  caution.

Restructure your spending

It is a good time to try to cut back on your spending.  Reducing your spending can help you    preserve your savings.  Review your monthly expenses to see which ones are truly necessary. Eliminate services and purchases you no longer need.  This will provide you with more financial security throughout the upcoming months.

Prioritize your health 

There is so many unknowns about the coronavirus so remember to embrace the kinds of practices that will keep you and your loved ones safe.  Keep in mind that your health is your most important asset.

Abide by the CDC guidelines, wear a mask, and follow these self-care practices that are helpful in every day living: eat well, stay active, and get adequate rest.

Willamette View Foundation is always here to help ease your financial worries.  Please contact us with your financial concerns so we can work together to protect your financial future.

Steps to a Healthy Heart

You already know that maintaining a healthful diet, reducing stress, and getting plenty of exercise help keep your heart strong, but these other easy tips can give your heart-healthy lifestyle a boost.

Start a gratitude journal: 

Tapping into happy, positive emotions has been linked to lower changes of cardiac problems, while feelings of negativity can contribute to heart risks like high blood pressure over time.  Each day, write down one thing that you are grateful for, flip through for an uplifting reminder of all the good things in your life.

Healthy eating: 

If you can’t seem to say no to that cookie or side of fries, try keeping yourself on a healthy eating track by planning out meals ahead of time.  Include lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean portions.

 Try walking & meditating:

Cardio and strength training strengthen your heart and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  In addition, breathing exercises such as meditation work to reduce stress and high blood pressure.

www.prevention.com/health