Create Your Legacy

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Your free estate plan from Giving Docs Giving Docs


Empowering Columbia University alumni and friends to plan, provide, and preserve an enduring future for themselves and what matters most to them. Plan now for the future you envision with the Giving Docs estate planning platform.

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Features at a Glance

Giving Docs provides a full suite of estate planning tools.

Will / Trust*
(Start Fresh)

Codicil
(Update Will)

Durable Power
of Attorney 

Advance Healthcare
Directive

Qualified Charitable
Distribution Tool 

Donor Advised Fund
Tool

Stock Gift
Tool

*Revocable Living Trusts are only available for California residents currently

Screenshot of platform features

While Columbia University covers the cost of providing this service, Giving Docs is an independent third-party platform, completely separate from Columbia University. Its services are provided without review from Columbia University, and Columbia University is not liable for its use. Giving Docs is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We always suggest getting counsel from your attorney and/or trusted advisors. Your use of the platform is subject to Giving Docs' Terms of Service, which we encourage you to review.

Bringing Your Values to Life

Many Columbia University alumni and friends have chosen to perpetuate their lifelong values and make an impact through gifts in their wills. 

Traditionally, creating a will can be expensive and time-consuming. To solve this problem, Columbia is pleased to offer free access to GivingDocs. Here you can easily create your will and other estate planning documents in just a few minutes. You are not required to leave a gift in order to create a will.

If you want to create your first will or, due to changing life circumstances, update the will that you already have, the Giving Docs tool can simplify the process for you. Use the tool however it best suits you. If the output works for you, follow the state specific instructions provided to execute your will. If the software flags issues or if through this process you have questions of your own, then use the output as a conversation-starter with your trusted advisor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your last will and testament is a formal document that specifies your wishes when you pass away. If you do not have a will, state law will determine how your belongings, children and pets are placed among your living family.

Giving Docs advises that a completed will is not legally binding until it has been signed and executed in accordance with the laws of your state of residence. Giving Docs will give you detailed instructions on how to do so in order to ensure that your will carries out your wishes. Giving Docs securely keeps your information in your profile so that you can quickly and easily update your will whenever you need to. The standard will document you create on the GivingDocs website incorporates typical estate planning needs. If you have a complicated estate with multiple properties and complex assets, or would like to discuss alternative planned giving vehicles, we recommend consulting an attorney and/or financial advisor.

This offer is free to you, compliments of Columbia University.

No. While Columbia University covers the cost of providing this service to our supporters, Giving Docs is an independent third-party platform, completely separate from Columbia University. Its services are provided without review from Columbia University, and Columbia University is not liable for its use. Giving Docs is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Your use of the platform is subject to Giving Docs' Terms of Service, which we encourage you to review.

Giving Docs states a will from Giving Docs is valid in all 50 states and the District of Columbia if it has been signed and executed in accordance with the laws of your state of residence. If you live outside of the U.S., you may use the Giving Docs process to outline your wishes in preparation for speaking with an attorney.

Yes. Giving Docs makes it easy to leave gifts to all of your favorite organizations. Giving Docs will prompt you to leave a percentage of your estate to your favorite charity, but you are not required to leave a gift in order to create a will through Giving Docs.

Yes, you can use Giving Docs to create a new will. Be sure to have it executed per the laws in your state.

Yes, Giving Docs offers the opportunity to leave a gift without altering your existing will through a codicil. You can access the codicil platform directly.

Columbia University does not share your personal information with Giving Docs. Giving Docs only receives the information that you provide to them, when you activate your Giving Docs account. Giving Docs' Terms of Service prohibits the sale or rental of user names or other personal information.

When creating your account with Giving Docs, you will be asked if you would like to share your contact information with any charities for which you leave a gift. If you choose to share your contact information, the charity will receive your contact information and note about your planned gift, as agreed upon. No other data will be shared with the charity. If you do not wish to share any information at all, you can choose to remain anonymous. If you choose to remain anonymous, the charity will not receive any identifying information.

You are not required to leave a gift to Columbia University or any other organization in order to create a will. And any bequest provision you include is revocable. It can be changed at any time for any reason. Simply log back into your account to update your will, and follow the instructions for signatures and notarizations.


Ryan Hart

Ryan Hart
gift.planning@columbia.edu
Executive Director of Gift Planning
Columbia University

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