Museum to Host Free Estate Planning Workshop
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will offer an Estate Planning Essentials Workshop on November 15, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Financial Planning
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host a free Estate Planning Essentials Workshop on November 15, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in Fleischmann Auditorium. The workshop is hosted by the Museum's Planned Giving Advisory Council and covers wills and trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, fiduciary responsibilities, tax considerations, and charitable giving strategies.
Why it matters
The workshop gives attendees practical information to discuss further with their legal, tax, and financial advisors. The Museum also offers year-round estate and legacy planning programs through free workshops and consultations.
The workshop is free and runs two hours in Fleischmann Auditorium on November 15, 2026, followed by an informal meet-and-greet until 5:00 PM. Attendance capacity and registration requirements were not specified in the available information.
The players
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
A museum in Santa Barbara, California, that offers exhibits, programs, and year-round estate and legacy planning services for donors.
The details
Presenters include a Certified Public Accountant, an Estate Attorney, a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary, and a Planned Giving Professional. Topics include wills and trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, fiduciary responsibilities, tax considerations, and charitable giving strategies.
Timeline
November 15, 2026, 2:00-4:00 PM: Estate Planning Essentials Workshop in Fleischmann Auditorium.
November 15, 2026, until 5:00 PM: Informal meet-and-greet with presenters.
Legacy Planning
The workshop extends the Museum's Planned Giving Advisory Council's year-round estate and legacy planning programs, which include bequests, IRA charitable rollovers, charitable gift annuities, and beneficiary designations. It presents these donor-focused tools to the general public in a free educational format.
Residents who want to organize wills, trusts, or healthcare directives can attend the free session to learn the basics before meeting with their own attorney or tax advisor. Attendees can also ask presenters questions during the informal meet-and-greet that follows.
The takeaway
Gathering basic knowledge about wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations before meeting an advisor can make later planning conversations more productive. Consider attending a free workshop to prepare questions for your own legal and financial professionals.
What happens next
The Estate Planning Essentials Workshop takes place on November 15, 2026, with an informal meet-and-greet with presenters following until 5:00 PM.
Further reading
For broader guidance on wills, trusts, and beneficiary planning, explore Financial Planning resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Santa Barbara Independent.
