Wills, Trusts & Other Tools
Ralph’s family seemed loving and close—but everything changed after his passing. During the estate settlement, disagreements over how his assets should be divided turned into disappointment and bitterness. For years, family relationships remained strained.
Does this have to happen to every family? No. As Christian stewards, our first responsibility is to understand God’s plan for the stewardship of our estate. His Word offers principles that guide us in planning wisely and addressing potential conflicts—helping protect both your family relationships and the legacy you leave behind.
Start with Biblical Principles
Principle #1: God Owns Everything
Everything we have belongs to God. Even the portion we give back in weekly offerings is just a small part of what He has entrusted to us. Scripture reminds us that God created the earth and all it contains (Psalm 24:1-2) and that He is the ultimate owner of all (Psalm 50:10-12). In the New Testament, we learn that we have been “bought with a price”—the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:17-19).
Principle #2: We Are Stewards, Not Owners
Since we cannot truly own what God has created, our role is to manage it wisely. God entrusts us with His resources, expecting us to use them for His purposes (Matthew 5:16). This includes our time (Ephesians 5:15-17), our abilities (Romans 12:1-8), and our financial resources (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Our responsibility is to act as caretakers, trustees, and stewards—honoring God in all we manage.
Principle #3: Blessings Are Meant to Be Shared
God’s blessings are not meant to be hoarded—they are designed to be shared during our lifetime and beyond (2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 6:3, 9-10; Ephesians 4:28). Thoughtful planned giving and estate design allow us to:
Benefit ourselves and loved ones while we are alive
Support personal beneficiaries and ministries we care about after we pass
Reduce taxes, redirecting more resources to ministry rather than government
By stewarding wisely, we can ensure God’s resources are used to their fullest potential—honoring Him, blessing others, and leaving a lasting Kingdom impact.
Steps to a Lasting Legacy
Set Priorities: Decide what matters most—your values, family, and the legacy you want to leave.
Follow Biblical Principles: Let God’s Word guide your decisions and shape your stewardship.
Learn Planning Strategies & Tools: Explore practical strategies, charitable tax planning, and giving resources to maximize impact.
Gather Key Information: Collect the details about the people, assets, and property included in your plan.
Work with Professionals: Build a team of trusted advisors to help create and implement a well-designed, effective plan.
Planning Tools for Christian Stewards
Wills & Revocable Living Trusts
Wills and Revocable Living Trusts are key documents for guiding how your assets are managed and distributed.
A Will allows you to express your final wishes for distributing your property. It follows state laws and typically involves the probate court. Wills cover only assets titled solely in your name.
A Revocable Living Trust can be created by an individual or couple. It helps manage assets during your lifetime and directs final distributions at death—while avoiding probate for assets held in the trust.
Using these tools wisely ensures your estate is handled according to your wishes, provides for your loved ones, and minimizes stress on your family.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney lets someone you trust make important decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to do so. This can cover business, financial, or medical matters—ensuring your affairs are handled according to your wishes and giving you and your family peace of mind.
Titling
How your assets are titled can make or break your plan. When coordinated with your legal documents, proper titling ensures your wishes are carried out smoothly. Misaligned titling, however, can create confusion and unintended complications.
Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations allow your assets to pass directly to the people or ministries you care about—quickly and with minimal cost. Life insurance and retirement accounts often have built-in beneficiary options, and many other financial or tangible assets can also be transferred this way, avoiding probate and delays.
Making Gifts From Your Estate
You can continue making a difference even after your lifetime by including a gift to ministry in your Will or Trust. Your bequest can take many forms:
A percentage of your estate
A specific dollar amount
A particular asset
The remainder of your estate after other distributions
A contingent gift if your original beneficiary predeceases you
Your attorney can help ensure your gift is included properly. To support Remember the Children, please use our legal name:
Remember the Children, INC, a not-for-provide organization organized in the State of Indiana, with principal offices located at 1100 S. 9th St., Ste 211, Noblesville, Indiana, 46060, Federal Tax ID #35-2128166.
You can plan a future gift now by naming Remember the Children as a beneficiary of your bank or investment accounts, life insurance, retirement assets, or even real estate. Simply request the appropriate beneficiary designation forms from your account manager to complete your gift.
To get started, download Your Estate Planning Guide. It will walk you through the basic tools and help you gather the personal information you’ll need for the planning process.
Let us help you plan wisely.
Would you like to create or review an estate plan that meets your needs, provides for your family and favorite ministries, and honors the principles God has given in His Word?
We’ve prepared a practical workbook, Your Estate Planning Guide, to help you gather the personal information you’ll need for the planning process. Download it using the link below.
If you’d prefer to discuss your unique situation with someone personally, contact us today using the button below—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.