LEGACY GIVING

So much has changed in the 50 years since WSMC first began. In many ways, public radio has grown up. What was once a struggling—almost experimental—operation has become a permanent and positive presence in the lives of so many in the Tennessee Valley and across the nation.

One of the many ways that friends can choose to express their deep commitment to public radio is by naming WSMC in their will or trust. This is a way to make a lasting contribution without affecting your current financial security and freedom.

If you take time to record all of the property you own, you may be surprised to see that it begins to add up. And if you have particular items that you would like to go to certain individuals, your will can help accomplish those wishes. Regardless of the size of your estate, you can benefit by taking the time to see an attorney and have a simple will drafted.

Your will may be just fine as it is, but many people find that changes in circumstances may affect their plans. Marriages, births, deaths, divorces, and other changes, such as moving to another state, are all good reasons for reviewing your plans. If your previous beneficiary wishes have changed, you may want to update your plans. And if you would like to leave part of your legacy to worthy causes and institutions, including WSMC, this may be the time to take action.

Yes. One of the main reasons people make wills in the first place is to name guardians for minor children or to arrange for the care of anyone who may be depending on you. If your needs or desires change, so should the instructions in your own personal will.

More and more people have supplemented their estate plans with a tool known as a revocable living trust. Property may be transferred at death via instructions in the trust just as it would with a typical will. And the trust allows one to provide for the management of assets while the creator of the trust is still living and may help save estate taxes. This can add to peace of mind if someone is alone and worried about what might happen if he or she should become unable to manage personal business. A trust may also be useful in providing support for dependents.

Yes. You will still need at least a simple will to take care of "loose ends.” Such a will may simply direct that any property not already in the trust should be transferred to it for handling along with the other trust assets.

That depends on the complexity of your situation. In most cases, the cost of planning is much less than you might think and may be less than the fees, bonds, and taxes that might be due unnecessarily in the absence of good planning. An attorney should be willing to give you an estimate of fees in advance to help you make your decision. WSMC may be able to help you with these costs.

One of the most satisfying things you will be able to do by taking time to plan your estate is to make decisions to benefit some of the worthy institutions and organizations you have supported during life. In fact, many of the most significant gifts that non-profits receive come from the estates of regular contributors who decide to share a portion of their accumulated assets later on, after taking care of family and friends.

WSMC's long-term stability is based on solid planning, which will ensure that we are here in the future to serve the Tennessee Valley. Your thoughtful choice to include WSMC in your estate plans would go a long way toward helping make this future a reality.

You may choose to give a percentage of your estate, or all or part of the residue that is left over after all other bequests are made. Specific sums and other property are also welcome.

Unless you choose to share it, your will remains private as long as you are living. Upon death, wills generally become part of the public record available from the court. Trusts, on the other hand, can remain confidential.

If you choose to remember us in your plans, we welcome your letting us know so we may say "thank you!" If you prefer, we will keep the fact of your bequest intention confidential. We understand fully if you prefer not to share specific amounts or if you have no way of knowing what might be left over for your charitable gifts.