What to know before naming a charitable foundation as your beneficiary.

Q: I am a single woman, never been married and have no children and currently living in Texas. I want to donate all my assets to the Gates Foundation upon my death. Instead of preparing a will or trust, can I just name the Gates Foundation as the beneficiary on all my bank and brokerage accounts and also my house too?

A: Yes, you can name the Gates Foundation as the beneficiary on your bank and brokerage accounts, and you can also sign a Transfer on Death Deed naming the Gates Foundation as beneficiary on your house.

You can fill out the forms at the bank and brokerage houses yourself. You could try to prepare and record the Transfer on Death Deed yourself, but it would be........

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