A Bequest to Leave a Legacy
Britain and Chris Riley
(Beta Eta, Florida State University)My husband, Chris, and I are passionate about the fraternal experience, and it is no surprise that Alpha Chi Omega (and, of course, his fraternity, Delta Chi) are closest to our hearts.
We want to ensure that future generations of young men and women have similar opportunities to ours. This single-gender fraternal experience is shaping future leaders. We want to help ensure this experience exists in perpetuity for those who follow in our footsteps.
While we are both still relatively young, we are both "planners" by nature. Even prior to marriage, we openly discussed our goals and future financial plans. We truly believe it is never too early to start having open and transparent dialogue, which will ensure you are on the same page and are able to align your goals. We have found that these early conversations have allowed us to see our charitable gifts in action−it is truly rewarding to see the impact of your gift now and know it will grow in the future.
It is also never too early to think about establishing a will . The process allows you to reflect upon your wishes and have candid conversations with those important in your life. It allows one to reflect upon what is important not just now, but in the future, and ensure that the pieces are put in place to fulfill your legacy the way you would want. Documenting your estate plan can give you peace of mind knowing you have eliminated stress for your loved ones in the future and ensured that your wishes are clearly defined.
The process of creating our will was easier than we expected and allowed us to also start the conversations about our personal goals for the rest of our lives. We also found comfort in knowing we could adjust portions of our will should we have major life changes in the future. Chris and I fully believe in the importance of giving of time, talent and treasure to causes we care about. Through our present commitment to longer-term giving, we are able to find peace knowing that plans are in place and that we might inspire others to join us in this endeavor.
IS A CHARITABLE BEQUEST RIGHT FOR YOU?
We have resources that will help you learn more about bequests. Click here to review sample bequest language. You will see how easy it is to include a bequest in your will or trust.
You might find it helpful to print this page and the bequest language. Please feel free to give this information to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please contact us.
