It’s Never Too Soon to Start Planning for Your Future
Are you among the 66% of Americans who haven’t written a will? Perhaps you don’t believe you have enough assets to leave behind or the time and resources to create an estate plan. But a will is essential if you have children, pets, a bank account, or other assets. It can ensure your wishes are honored if you are no longer here to express them.
“I thought creating a will would be expensive,” says Legacy Montrose Pharmacy manager Kevin Aloysius. “But I’d just paid off my student loans, and I have money in my Legacy retirement account. If I’m no longer here, I want my assets to go to the right people.”
Now, making a will is easier than ever, thanks to a new partnership between Legacy and FreeWill. Visitors to the FreeWill website can create wills and other estate plan documents for free!
“Before, I thought I’d need a lawyer, or it would cost a lot, and I’d have to gather all sorts of information,” says Kevin. “But it was so easy. I received concrete instructions that covered things I would not have considered. All the details were there, and the process took less than 15 minutes.”
FreeWill also helps users create advanced healthcare directives, financial power of attorney documents, and provides step-bystep guidance for qualified charitable contributions (QCDs). Plus, FreeWill’s services are available to anyone.
Mike Holloman, the chairperson of Legacy’s Endowment Board, recommended FreeWill to his sister. “She was the executor of our mother’s estate,” Mike recalls, “and she realized she needed a will of her own.”
FreeWill also allows users to select Legacy Community Health as a beneficiary. It’s completely optional, but Mike hopes people will choose Legacy. “We’re building our endowment fund to ensure Legacy’s mission to drive healthy change in our communities continues in perpetuity,” he explains. “Legacy has been here more than 40 years, and we want it to serve the community for decades to come.”
Kevin is doing his part to plan for Legacy’s future. “Working in the pharmacy and seeing the people we help can sometimes be overwhelming,” he says. “I think of how much more we can do with just a little more funding. My contribution might be small, but it will make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
He has also designated his contribution to the Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Education, Treatment, and Prevention of HIV/AIDS. “We’re still seeing a lot of new diagnoses of HIV,” says Kevin. “But the right medication can help people get their HIV under control. Legacy plays an important role in getting medication to the people who need it.”
And his message for others thinking about making their will? “Making sure things are taken care of is the responsible thing to do. I’m 35 years old and a workaholic. If I can do it in 15 minutes, I’m pretty sure anyone can. It’s just a small thing you can do, but it’ll have a huge impact.”
“Making sure things are taken care of is the responsible thing to do.”
Winter
legacy.community/giving
Legacy Community Health Operating Board
Naveen Pinglay
Chairperson
Ryan Martin Vice-Chairperson
Allison Floyd Wells, M.D.
Treasurer
Ronnie Kurtin
Secretary
Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D.
At-Large / Executive Committee
Cathy Easter
Taryn Hargrove Gore
Gary Hammett
George Hawkins
Bryan Hlavinka
Danilo Juvane
Rebekah Le
Johnson Olatunji
Neftali Partida
Cindy Scharringhausen
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board
Mike Holloman Chairperson
George Hawkins Vice-Chairperson
Ray Purser Treasurer
Bryan Hlavinka
Secretary
Linda Cantu
Tripp Carter
Cyndy Garza Roberts
Sharon Land
Ryan Martin
Mark McMasters, M.D.
Board Members Emeriti
Melanie Gray
Melissa Mithoff
James A. Reeder, Jr.
Monsour Taghdisi
Claire Cormier Thielke
December 7, 2022 • The Home of Milton Townsend
The lights were sparkling, friends were festive, and the SCHMOOZE was spectacular! Grateful thanks to our co-chairs Milton Townsend and Mary Patton, our donors, and volunteers who made this year’s Holiday SCHMOOZE the brightest night of the year. This year’s party was a return to the SCHMOOZE of years past as Milton graciously opened his beautifully decorated home for this magical event benefiting The Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Rollover for Good
By taking a distribution from your IRA this year, you will likely pay more in taxes and may even reach a higher tax bracket. Rolling over funds from a traditional IRA - also known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) - may help reduce your tax bill while supporting Legacy’s mission.
People who are 70½ or older can make QCD gifts up to $100,000 each year to qualified charities like ours. What’s more, QCDs may be used to meet IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
Recent legislation has updated the age for RMDs so that donors 73 and older must take an RMD. However, if you were subject to RMDs in 2022, you must take your RMD in 2023.
OLDER
YOU CAN DIRECT UP TO 100,000
Compare the impact of taking your RMD versus the benefits of making an QCD gift to us:
Taking Your RMD
• You pay income tax on your distribution
• You may not need or want the money
• You are limited by the RMD rules
Making an QCD Gift
• You pay no income tax on the gift
• You can help support Legacy’s mission
• Your gift can help build your charitable legacy
A QCD gift can help you and Legacy drive healthy change in our communities. In the past, making a QCD was a complex process involving contacting your financial custodian and wrangling the correct paperwork. Now, it’s easier than ever! Scan the QR code above to securely input information about your intended gift online, and we’ll provide the correct forms with the details filled in. From there, just follow the directions to print, sign, and mail it in.
Source: FreeWill and Crescendo
Legacy pediatrician Dr. Jessica Mumme and family at the Fifth Ward party.
