California lost a gracious philanthropist when Diane Disney Miller, Walt Disney’s last surviving daughter, passed away November 19^th in the Napa Valley. It was her generous donation of $50 million that launched the building of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the home of the LA Philharmonic. Mrs. Miller also championed the design of the notable architect Frank Gehry for the concert hall. We may not all carry famous last names or lineages, or have fortunes with so many zeroes in them, but everyone can admire the philanthropic goals and achievements of people like Diane Disney Miller.  Even better, anybody can choose to make a difference in their own way, through the use of carefully considered and well-planned bequests. Besides your family and friends, what do you value?  Maybe it’s art, or music, or medicine, or research, or education. Perhaps its companion animals, or the wild things in nature that beautify the planet – there are countless worthy causes out in the world as well as here at home in California. Working with people to set up bequests to organizations or charities with personal significance to them is a fascinating and rewarding aspect of my legal practice. The importance of having one’s wishes and directives established in an estate plan is important.  Even if you don’t consider yourself a philanthropist, whatever you may choose to “give back” is meaningful to you – and that makes it a priority for me too. If you would like help with establishing a bequest, or for any other estate planning questions, please contact us at 818.956.9200. Glendale Location 616 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Suite 203 Glendale, CA 91207 Sherman Oaks Location 15303 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 900 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403