People do not always receive their expected share of an estate because family members typically do not receive these assets directly. The transfer of specific assets through inheritance results in value loss and creates conflicts among beneficiaries. The process of inheriting specific assets creates unexpected responsibilities for heirs who did not expect to receive these assets. Savvy planners select particular assets for charitable giving because this approach protects their wishes from family disputes and enables permanent charitable objectives. The strategic decision to donate assets to charity serves a purpose beyond excluding family members, as it creates lasting, beneficial effects.
