What do Picasso, Jimi Hendrix, Abraham Lincoln, Howard

Hughes, and Michael Jackson, all have in common?  You're probably thinking, not much.  But they do, in fact, have one big thing in common.  They all died intestate-which means, they died without having a will. Surprising as that might sound, even the rich and famous can fail to plan ahead when it comes to their estate.

Picasso, for example, died in 1973 at the age of 91, leaving behind a fortune in assets that included artwork, five homes, cash, gold and bonds.  Because Picasso died intestate and left no will, it took 6 years to settle his estate at a cost of $30 million.  His assets were eventually divided up among six heirs.  Lincoln, who himself was a lawyer, didn't complete a will because he obviously thought he had many more years to live.

Next Tuesday, June 7, the Advancement Board of Saints Peter and Paul School is holding an Estate Planning workshop. It will be held in Rm. U 217-218 (top floor) of the Ministry Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.  We will conclude by 8:00 p.m. including allowing time for questions.   The topics to be covered are broad but the goal is simple.....that all attendees walk out with a will and Power of Attorney ready to be reviewed and signed.

The agenda will include discussion on estate and income tax issues; donor advised funds; power of attorney for property and health care agents; withdrawal ages for children; asset protecting; and the importance of titling and beneficiary designation.

The featured speaker will be Brett M. Dale, a partner with the firm Huck Bouma, is located in Wheaton.  They have the resources of a downtown Chicago law firm with the ability to provide personalized, individualized services to its clients.  Brett is a frequent lecturer for various groups including the Illinois Certified Public Accounting Society.  He is the past President of the Fox Valley Chapter of the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants and past President of the Wheaton Rotary Club.  Brett is a Director at Cadence Health, member of the Marianjoy Foundation and also a member of the Board of Trustees of the DuPage Community Foundation.

There is no charge to attend the workshop.  It is designed by our Advancement Board to provide a free service to parishioners and provide them with some basic information to assist them in beginning the process of estate planning.  Similar presentations have been scheduled in the past as a service to our parishioners and as a way of thanking them for their generous, and ongoing, support of our school's mission.  People work hard for their money and they understandably want to see the fruits of their labors go to their loved ones and the institutions they have supported throughout their adult lives rather than the government.

Those planning on attending are asked to RSVP to Pat Burson at 630-718-2166.

Light refreshments will also be served.