Estate Planning Help

Help "Save the Heir" with Mechanics' Institute free kit

Do your heirs a favor.  Have an effective estate plan.

The Mechanics’ Institute free estate planning kit, though not a substitute for legal advice, will help take the mystery out of estate planning and tell you how to reduce taxes, legal fees and family dissension.

The Kit contains:

  • An Estate Planning Inventory form to help you get organize information before you visit your attorney.
  • A fill-in-the blanks form that lets your heirs know your how to find important documents, personal information, your wishes for your funeral ceremony, etc.
  • Basic estate planning information from the California Bar Association (available by contacting  Jim Flack at (415) 393-0117 or jflack@milibrary.org ); he can mail you these pamphlets.

Download the compiled forms (.doc) noted in bullets 1 & 2 above.

Once your family’s needs are met, consider a bequest to the Mechanics’ Institute.  Those including the Institute in their estate plan are honored by membership in the James Lick Legacy Society.

An Easy Introduction to Some Powerful Tools - Web-based Tutorials

By providing a gift in your estate plan you will become a member of the James Lick Legacy Society. This enables the Institute to continue its historic role of keeping pace with its members' changing interests and needs. Institute members now enjoy the ease of 21st century library technology in a welcoming environment, proud of its history. You can make a charitable bequest in a variety of ways. Consider your options: be a part of the Institute's past and play a critical role in safeguarding its future. An Easy Introduction to Some Powerful Tools - Web-based Tutorials View of any of our 10-minute illustrated Estate-Planning Briefings on wills, living trusts, probate, trustees, charitable trusts, gift annuities, advance health care directives and other powerful estate planning tools vital to you and those you love. Gain control of your future through an up-to-date estate plan. It’s good for you, good for those you love, and, if you wish, good for The Mechanics Institute Library and Chess Room.