I learned at an estate planning seminar that people need to review their wills when they marry, move, or have a death in the family.  All three happened to me this year!  Here’s my question:  I plan to leave a large part of my estate to my new husband.  Is there some way I can make a charitable bequest at the same time?

Married people can leave funds to the surviving spouse in a trust that pays the survivor income for life, with later benefit to a family member or worthwhile organization.  If you or your husband expect to face federal estate taxes (which affect estates over $3,500,000), the trust should be arranged as a so-called QTIP trust to take advantage of both the marital and charitable deductions.

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