Free estate planning workshop to address trusts

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Fort Valley State University Extension are teaming up with a prominent estate planning expert to offer a free workshop designed to demystify trusts, an aspect of estate planning.

The free virtual workshop with John Donsbach from the Donsbach Law Group will be held on March 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

A trust is an estate planning tool that names a trustee to manage assets for the benefit of another person. There are different types of trusts and they can serve purposes including tax planning, medical planning and charitable giving.

“It’s critical for clients to understand the terminology to make a more informed decision,” said Keishon Thomas, a UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent in Bibb County. “Everyone does not need a trust and they need to know the mechanics of a trust.”

The workshop is presented by the Georgia Farmer’s Initiative for Training and Sustainability (GA-FITS) program. Last year, the collaboration between UGA Extension and FVSU Extension helped 61 Georgians complete estate plans through estate planning education and technical assistance, and provided education for over 300.

This year’s workshop will help attendees understand what trusts are, why they are important and how they differ from a last will and testament.

“A trust is a plan to take care of the people you love when you’re no longer around or lack capacity to assist them,” Thomas said.

To register for the free workshop, visit https://fvsuag.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DcjoKsr6T22IP7LYfzbUpA#/registration

The registration deadline is March 15.

For more information, contact Millicent Price at pricem@fvsu.edu or (478) 235-8694.