The Final Gift

Estate planning may technically be about deciding who will own wealth after death. But more importantly, it is about discerning how the gifts God entrusted to us should continue serving our families, our neighbors, and His Church after we are gone.

"I did not write this book to tell readers how to create an estate plan. I wrote it to help them understand why doing so matters - and how the process can become an expression of faith, gratitude, and hope," author Phil Brach explains.

Many Catholic institutions encourage planned giving, yet few invite donors to reflect on the deeper spiritual meaning of legacy. Thoughtful and accessible, this book is a valuable resource for dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools and universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations. It will help pastors, development professionals, financial planners, and attorneys have more meaningful conversations with individuals and families about stewardship, generosity, and the gifts they will leave behind.

This guide encourages you to see estate planning not as a burden but as an opportunity for joy - a way to care for those you love, express the values that guide your life, and support the ministries and causes closest to your heart. It can be read in one sitting, discussed in parish or small-group settings, or used as a companion while working with an attorney and financial adviser.

Drawing from his professional and personal experience, Brach breaks open the practical and spiritual concerns about planning for your future and the future of those you love. Filled with real-life examples, this book offers valuable lessons, including:

• The first step to estate planning (it's not what you think)
• What Scripture, the Church, and spiritual authors say about the Four Last Things
• An estate planning examination of conscience
• How to provide for your family, donate to charity, and communicate your planned giving to your loved ones
• Why failure to plan may actually result in less control and more conflict
• The virtues you demonstrate in ordering your affairs
• Nine prudent questions to help you prepare for the future
• Why merciful and just planning isn't always about equality
• Advice on planning in complex family situations
• How to evaluate which organizations are worthy of contributions and will make the strongest impact with your legacy

Estate planning is not primarily a financial exercise; it is a final testament of faith. It is one of the last opportunities God gives us to bless our families, strengthen His Church, and bear witness to what matters most. Take the next step. There is peace in completing what love requires. Let go and be free.