Longtime host of The Price Is Right, the late Bob Barker was a television fixture for decades. But did you know he was also a renowned and generous supporter of animal welfare charities? As we approach World Animal Day, October 4, we invite you to “come on down!” to learn about the beloved game show host’s charitable contributions in life and death, and what you can do to benefit the causes you care about in your own estate plan.

After serving as a fighter pilot in World War II, Barker married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Jo. He credited her for converting him into an animal rights advocate. They did not have children, which evidently did not trouble him. He once quipped: “With all the trouble my friends are having with their children, I’m not sorry I didn’t have any!”

During his time as host of The Price Is Right, Barker received a whopping 19 Daytime Emmy Awards. He still holds the record for the longest continuing performance on the same network TV show.

After Dorothy Jo died in 1981, Barker had a relationship with fellow animal activist Nancy Burnet. He suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease following his retirement in 2007. With ample financial resources, he was able to remain at home during his declining years, cared for by Burnet and a crew of round-the-clock caregivers. Barker passed away in his California home on August 26, 2023, surrounded by his ten dogs. His only surviving family were a half-brother, two half-nephews and one half-niece. Barker named Burnet to administer his estate.

Charity in Life and In Death

Barker’s charitable contributions for animal welfare are too numerous to list in entirety. Here is a fraction of them:

• In 1994 he founded the DJ&T Foundation, endowing it with $10 million to benefit spay/neuter projects nationwide. That year he also gave $1 million to transport three elephants from the Toronto Zoo to a sanctuary.

• He gave $5 million to The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to purchase a ship for its anti-whaling campaign.

• In 2004 Barker gave a $1 million gift to Columbia University Law School to develop its animal rights curriculum.

• Barker’s very first media job, in 1949, was as a news editor here in Florida, and our state has also benefited from his generosity. Save the Chimps, the world’s largest chimp sanctuary located in Fort Pierce, received a $250,000 donation from him.  You can see a video about his involvement with Save the Chimps here.

Even in death, his compassion for animals continues. His estate continues to promote the causes that were dear to him, including bequests for 40+ humane-related nonprofits, as well as bequests for several military organizations.

How You Can Include Your Favorite Charities In Your Estate Plan  

There are a variety of ways to structure your estate plan to benefit your preferred charity.

(1) Leave a Bequest in Your Last Will & Testament, Or In Your Living Trust

This is an easy way to make a bequest to a charity. You earmark the bequest for a specific program or purpose, or just make a general purpose donation to an organization. A word of caution, though: your Will must be probated, which can be an inconvenience for your loved ones as well as incur extra expenses. Instead of a Will, a properly drafted and funded Living Trust can keep your estate out of probate.

(2) Name A Charity As Death Beneficiary of An Asset

Just as an individual can be named the death beneficiary of an account, so can a charity. You may wish to do this with bank accounts or retirement accounts. When you pass away, the funds pass directly to the charitable organization without the need for probate.

(3) Charitable Remainder Trust

Although a more complex strategy than the above, a charitable remainder trust has several tax advantages for those who have significant highly appreciated assets.

How it works: Highly appreciated assets – for example, stocks or real estate – are placed in the trust and invested. The generated income goes to you or to your designated beneficiaries. The ultimate beneficiary is your designated charity(ies), which receives the assets when you pass away. Thus, a charitable remainder trust provides you with several advantages:

• It provides you with an immediate income tax deduction based on the fair market value of the assets placed in the trust.

• It allows you to avoid capital gains taxes on trust assets.

• By removing assets from your estate, it reduces any federal estate tax liability your estate might otherwise incur. (The estate tax exemption is scheduled to be reduced by half in 2026, so even if you do not have a taxable estate now, you may then.) A Charitable Remainer trust is irrevocable. However, if properly drafted, you may change or add charitable beneficiaries at any time.

Please make an appointment with The Karp Law Firm if you want to set up an estate plan that accommodates your philanthropic desires. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference! Call us at (561) 625-1100.