American Heart Association Webinar to Simplify Estate Planning During National Estate Planning Awareness Week

The American Heart Association, a leading force in the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke, is stepping into the realm of financial wellness with a free educational webinar aimed at demystifying estate planning. The session, titled “Your Legacy, Your Way: Estate Planning for Peace of Mind,” is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 1 p.m. Eastern/noon Central/10 a.m. Pacific, coinciding with National Estate Planning Awareness Week, October 19-25. The initiative comes as an estimated 56% of Americans lack an up-to-date estate plan, leaving their financial legacies and loved ones vulnerable.

Estate planning is often perceived as a complex and daunting task reserved for the wealthy, but the Heart Association aims to change that narrative by providing clear, practical guidance. “Estate planning is about more than financial documents. It is an opportunity to make thoughtful decisions for the people and causes that matter to you the most,” said Lee Shapiro, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association and managing partner and co-founder at 7wireVentures, an investment firm headquartered in Chicago. “This webinar will offer clear information and practical steps to allow you to begin or revisit your estate plans with greater confidence.”

The webinar will feature attorney Megan Kelly, with Megan M. Kelly Law, and Trent Grzegorczyk, a wealth manager with Corso Wealth. They will cover estate planning fundamentals, including essential documents, key decisions, and practical next steps. The session is designed for both first-time planners and those reviewing existing plans, addressing topics such as wills, beneficiary designations, and charitable giving strategies.

For Texas businesses and residents, this webinar offers a timely opportunity to safeguard assets and support causes close to their hearts. Proper estate planning can prevent family disputes, reduce tax burdens, and ensure that charitable intentions are honored. The Heart Association notes that planned giving is a powerful way to create lasting impact, funding breakthroughs in science, policy, and care. Donors who choose to give a legacy gift through charitable financial planning are recognized as members of the Paul Dudley White Legacy Circle, a designation within the Cor Vitae Society.

Legacy gifts are vital to sustain the American Heart Association’s role as the nation’s leading non-governmental funder of cardiovascular research, with more than $6.3 billion invested in scientific discovery since 1949. This generosity fuels lifesaving research and education, helping people everywhere live longer, healthier lives. Advance registration is required for the webinar at heart.org/plan, and all registrants will receive a collection of estate planning guides for instant download.

Additional resources, including information about wills and beneficiary designations, are available at heart.org/NEPAW. For those seeking broader charitable estate planning information, the association offers guidance at American Heart Association charitable estate planning information. As National Estate Planning Awareness Week approaches, this webinar stands as a crucial tool for Texans to protect their legacies and contribute to a healthier future.