mute videopause video
close video
Message Sent
Thank you for your inquiry. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Confirm Message Sent
e-newsletter
Thank you for your interest in our e-newsletter. Our records indicate that you are already receiving our e-newsletter. If you have any further questions please contact us.

Email in Records
e-newsletter Preferences
Your e-newsletter settings have been saved.

Preferences Saved
  • Giving Home
  • Gift Options
    • How to Give
    • What to Give
    • Donor Stories
  • Learn About Wills
    • Overview
    • Bequest Language
    • Wills Planner
    • Estate Planning Guide
  • Donor Stories
  • Calculators
  • Giving News
  • Contact Us
  • Get Started
    • I need more information about ways to give
    • I already know how I would like to give
Gift Planning Leave a legacy of giving
  • Wills Planner
  • Contact Us
logo
  • Back to UMFPA
  • Gift Planning Menu
  • Giving Home
  • Gift Options
    • How to Give
    • What to Give
    • Donor Stories
  • Learn About Wills
    • Overview
    • Bequest Language
    • Wills Planner
    • Free Estate Planning Guide
  • Calculators
  • Giving News
  • Contact Us
  • Back to UMFPA
Planned Giving

Impact a church or organization close to your heart

  • Your charitable gift will provide vital support for the ministries you care about most

  • Take advantage of immediate or deferred tax benefits for you and your family

  • Leave a legacy that will serve future generations

Learn More
  • Free Enewsletter
  • Free Estate Planning Guide
  • Get Started
  • I need more information about ways to give I already know how I would like to give
  • Professional Advisor Resources
mute videopause video
close video
Text Resize

You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > How to Give > Life Estate Reserve

Mobile Video Button

Life Estate Reserved

You may desire to leave your home or farm to your local church or a dear ministry at your death but would also like to receive a current charitable income tax deduction. A life estate reserved might offer the solution you need!

Life Estate Reserved
Home
Life Estate
Life Use
Charity
Charity image

Benefits of a life estate reserved

  • Receive a federal income tax deduction for the value of the remainder interest in your home or farm
  • Preserve your lifetime use and control of your home or farm
  • Create a life estate based on more than one life. This will preserve the use of the property for you and a loved one, such as a spouse or dependent child

How a life estate works

  1. You deed your home or farm to the charity you choose. The deed will include a provision that gives you the right to use your home or farm for the rest of your life and that of any other life estate party named in the deed.
  2. You and the charity sign a maintenance, insurance and taxes (MIT) agreement to explain that you will do your best to keep the property in good condition and that you will maintain property insurance and pay the property taxes.
  3. When the owners of the life estate have passed away, your home or farm will belong to the charity. The charity will then use or sell the property to further its charitable work.

Contact us

To learn more about a life estate, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you and answer your questions.

Plus or minus icon

Click here to learn more

Life Estates Work for Spouses Too - The life estate can last for your life or based on your life and that of another person, such as a spouse or loved one.

Mortgage Debt - It is possible for you to make a gift of your property even though there is a mortgage upon the residence.

Maintenance Issues - You will be responsible for the maintenance, insurance and taxes on the property, just as you were prior to creating the life estate.

Life Estates Are Flexible - If, at some point in the future, you are no longer able to live independently in your home, you may be able to use your life estate to create a lump sum cash payment (with a joint sale) or create an income stream (using the life estate to fund a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity).

scriptsknown
Let us help you
with your gift plans
  • I need more information about ways to give
  • I already know how I would like to give

Resources for Professional Advisors

© Copyright 2026 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PRIVACY STATEMENT

This site is informational and educational in nature. It is not offering professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. For specific advice about the effect of any planning concept on your tax or financial situation or with your estate, please consult a qualified professional advisor.