Community Foundation Encourages Local Families to Consider Estate Planning During National Make-A-Will Month

August brings more than just harvest preparations and back-to-school shopping to Pulaski County. It's also National Make-A-Will Month, and the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) is encouraging local families to consider how estate planning can protect their loved ones while supporting the causes they care about most.

Estate planning allows families to make their wishes clear and legally binding, which can save loved ones stress and potential conflicts during difficult times. For rural families, wills can be particularly important for issues like farm succession planning and ensuring that generations of hard work are honored according to the family's values.

"A lot of people think estate planning is complicated or not relevant to their situation, but if you care about your family and your community, you've got something worth planning for."

"A lot of people think estate planning is complicated or not relevant to their situation, but really, if you care about your family and your community, you've got something worth planning for," said Leeann Wright, executive director of the Community Foundation of Pulaski County. "Whether it's a family farm that's been passed down through generations, making sure your kids are protected, or just wanting your hard work to count for something meaningful – that's what wills are really about."

Wright notes that people are often surprised to learn that, beyond protecting family assets, wills also offer an opportunity for charitable giving through planned gifts. These gifts don't impact a person's current lifestyle or resources, but can create lasting community impact after the donor's passing. Planned gifts can take many forms, from specific dollar amounts to percentages of an estate, or even naming a charity as beneficiary on retirement accounts or life insurance policies.

The Community Foundation has seen significant impact from planned gifts over the years, particularly in supporting student scholarships that help local young people afford college. Many Pulaski County families have established charitable funds through their estate plans, creating legacies that continue to benefit the community for generations.

"What I love about planned giving is that it's really just an extension of the values people already live by."

"What I love about planned giving is that it's really just an extension of the values people already live by," Wright noted. "The same folks who volunteer at their kids' schools, help neighbors through tough times, and support local businesses – they're already making choices every day that show what matters to them. A planned gift is just one more way to keep those values working in our community, even after they're gone."

The Foundation's staff is available to help community members explore planned giving options and can work alongside any financial advisor families choose to use. The goal is to help people understand their options so they can make decisions that feel right for their family's situation.

"Your legacy isn't about what you have in the bank – it's about making sure what you've built supports what matters to you most."

For families interested in learning more about estate planning and planned giving options, information is available at www.cfopc.org.
Wright emphasized that no question is too small when it comes to considering planned giving. "Your legacy isn't about what you have in the bank – it's about making sure what you've built supports what matters to you most," she said. "We'd love to sit down over coffee with anyone who wants to explore what this might look like for their family."

National Make-A-Will Month serves as an annual reminder for people of all ages and income levels to create or update their wills, ensuring their final wishes are clear for their loved ones.