Planet Women
Help navigate a complicated estate gift from a generous donor
This estate gift could transform our organization, but we need legal help sorting it out.
Posted February 4, 2025
Background & Context
A generous donor left us in her will. Our organization and 4 other nonprofits will be able to get a very significant payout from her life insurance policies. However, the estate trustee has presented a complicated proposal for how and when these assets will be distributed. The trustee proposed that one of the charities should become the "successor trustee" and take over managing the insurance payments directly. We need help understanding this proposal and advocating for the best path forward.
Note about relevant locations: The donor was residing in Oregon when she passed away. The law firm currently representing the estate is also located in Oregon. The insurance payouts from New York Life and Pacific Life (where the money is coming from) are under contracts where laws from multiple states may apply including: Colorado, Delaware and New York.
Immediate Problem
We have 45 days to respond to a proposal from the estate Trustees. We need help to determine the right course of action ASAP.
Work & Deliverables
We need a lawyer to represent our organization to the estate's Trustees. There are other nonprofits that will be benefiting from this estate and we need help working with their organizations and understanding our rights and the best path forward.
Preparation Phase
- Schedule a background call with our development team to understand the estate giving situation.
- Read materials that we've been sent from the estate's Trustees.
Collaboration Phase
- Join 1-2 calls with the other nonprofits that are benefitting from this estate gift.
- Collaborate with Planet Women on a written response to the estate Trustees.
- Represent Planet Women in any calls with the estate trustees if needed
- Advise us on any future legal communications with the estate trustees.
Wrap Up
- Complete final project with a check-in call with the development team.
Planet Women
Planet Women is a start-up environmental nonprofit founded in July 2020 by two seasoned nature conservation leaders. Planet Women combines the best elements of conservation with a radical new approach to leadership to build a stronger, more inclusive environmental movement. Our vision is a world where the vibrant diversity of Earth’s people collaborate on equal footing to care for the planet. Our path to get there is by empowering women leaders. We work in the Amazon, Africa and the American West.
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Planet Women
Planet Women is a start-up environmental nonprofit founded in July 2020 by two seasoned nature conservation leaders. Planet Women combines the best elements of conservation with a radical new approach to leadership to build a stronger, more inclusive environmental movement. Our vision is a world where the vibrant diversity of Earth’s people collaborate on equal footing to care for the planet. Our path to get there is by empowering women leaders. We work in the Amazon, Africa and the American West.