Meet Dani
Dani Richter, Director of Philanthropy at the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, has been helping Floridians make an impact for the past five years. A Tampa Bay native, Dani grew up fishing its waters and developed a lifelong love for Florida’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. She now combines her expertise in philanthropy with her passion for conservation and is excited to answer your questions. Contact her at [email protected].
March 2025
Dear Dani,
My wife and I split our time between Michigan and Florida. We love being snowbirds and plan to keep this up as long as we can. But recently a friend mentioned that living in two states could complicate our estate plans. Now I’m wondering, do we need to do anything different if we want to leave a gift to support Florida’s wildlife?
— Seasonal Supporter, Naples, FL
Dear Seasonal Supporter,
First of all, welcome back to sunshine season. You are in very good company here in Florida.
The short answer is no. Living in two states does not prevent you from leaving a gift to support wild Florida. However, it is wise to take a quick look at your plans to make sure everything reflects your wishes.
When you split time between states, one is considered your legal domicile. That simply means your permanent home base. It can affect things like taxes and which state’s laws apply to your estate. Most snowbirds choose one state as their official residence, even if they happily spend months in another.
The good news is that including a charitable gift in your will or trust, or naming a nonprofit as a beneficiary of your IRA or life insurance policy, works no matter how many state lines you cross each year.
March is actually a perfect time for a little legacy checkup. While you are reviewing travel plans and getting ready for the season, it is smart to also:
- Confirm which state is listed as your legal residence
- Make sure your will or trust reflects that
- Double check beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies
- Ensure your documents still reflect the causes you care about
One simple but important tip is to use the full legal name, Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, if you decide to include us in your plans. That small detail helps avoid confusion later.
I also encourage families to let us know if they have included a gift. Not because we need to know the amount, but because I would truly love the chance to say thank you.
You chose to spend your winters in one of the most beautiful, wildlife rich places in the country. Helping protect it for generations to come is a legacy worth making.
If you would ever like to talk it through, I am just a phone call away.
Dani
Director of Philanthropy
Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida
