As the year comes to a close, many of us feel inspired to give back, whether to causes that shaped our lives or to communities that supported us. Including charitable giving in your estate plan is a meaningful way to extend that generosity beyond your lifetime, while also offering potential tax benefits for you and your loved ones.

Don’t be fooled into thinking your estate plan is foolproof just because you used a lawyer or an online template. The idea of having a “simple” estate is a dangerous myth. A signed document isn’t the same thing as a solid plan, and even small mistakes can have devastating consequences for your loved ones. Take these real-life examples: