# Client legacy planning

<figure><img src="/files/wyigg19koNOI4BhHi1VS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once your client has accepted their invitation to your firm's giving program, they can establish a giving legacy by naming beneficiaries on their donor-advised fund account.

As an advisor, you currently cannot set up beneficiaries on behalf of your clients. However, as a trusted stakeholder in their giving experience, clients may ask for advice on how to use this feature.

It may be helpful to have awareness of how the Beneficiaries tool works so you can best support your client as they act independently:

* [Why set up Beneficiaries](#beneficiary-types)
* [How to set up Beneficiaries](#beneficiary-types-1)
* [Other legacy planning opportunities](#beneficiary-types-2)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Does your client have questions about setting up Beneficiaries in their giving account?**

Your client is encouraged to visit the [Charityvest Guidebook](https://guide.charityvest.org/) or contact Charityvest support via email: <support@charityvest.org>
{% endhint %}

## Why set up Beneficiaries <a href="#beneficiary-types" id="beneficiary-types"></a>

{% embed url="<https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries>" %}

Charity beneficiaries and personal successors can receive or manage portions of your client's giving account, continuing their legacy of giving beyond their lifetime.&#x20;

Beneficiaries can be a mix of individuals who will receive a transfer of charitable assets to a donor-advised fund account in their name and charities who will receive grants for the causes your client specifies.&#x20;

For more detail on beneficiaries, your client can read the [information provided in the Charityvest public guide.](https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries)

## How to set up Beneficiaries <a href="#beneficiary-types" id="beneficiary-types"></a>

{% embed url="<https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries#beneficiary-types>" %}

Clients can nominate beneficiaries to their giving account and designate:

* Which individuals and/or charities will be beneficiaries of their giving account.
* What percentage of their total fund value they would like to allocate to each beneficiary.

To set up beneficiaries on their DAF, they can follow the [instructions provided in the Charityvest public guide. ](https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries#beneficiary-types)

## Timeframe of disposition

{% embed url="<https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries#timeframe-of-disposition>" %}

At the time of your client's passing, the Charityvest team will review their beneficiary profile to coordinate a DAF transfer to their chosen individuals and/or grants to their pre-populated charities.

If their preference is to disburse their account balance over a period of time, they can add special instructions to their beneficiary profile accordingly.

To add disbursement frequency instructions to a beneficiary, your client can follow the [instructions provided in the Charityvest public guide](https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries#timeframe-of-disposition).

## Other legacy planning opportunities <a href="#beneficiary-types" id="beneficiary-types"></a>

{% embed url="<https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries>" %}

Some clients may choose to ensure further charitable intent in their estate planning documents, such as a last will or trust, by including a written bequest to their donor-advised fund account. Bequests are the most frequent type of planned gift made to charity. Your client's estate receives a charitable deduction for the full amount given, so your client's heirs pay no estate tax on the gift.

For more detail on other legacy planning opportunities, your client can read the [information provided in the Charityvest public guide.](https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started/beneficiaries#beneficiary-types-2)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Curious to learn more about your firm's custom DAF program?** Contact your firm's program manager for program-related matters or Charityvest (<support@charityvest.org>) for platform-related matters.
{% endhint %}


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