A message from Clint Travis AVP of Major and Planned Gifts

Reading the Kirkland’s story about honoring their beloved therapy dog is a great reminder that an estate gift is an effective way to create a legacy and honor a loved one. Sometimes folks tell me that they don’t have an estate plan because they don’t have an estate. This comment is usually said in jest, but there’s often an underlying kernel of truth. This is because we associate the word “estate” with wealth. That connection leads to a feeling that estate planning is exclusively for the wealthy, making it seem complicated and expensive.

This might explain why only 46 percent of adults have a will. And while I do think that speaking with an experienced estate attorney is worth the money, the reality is that in most places, a handwritten will signed and acknowledged by a couple of witnesses is just as legally binding as a complex trust. If you’ve worked hard most of your life, no matter what remains, you deserve the opportunity to ensure that it’s dispersed in a way that honors your values and priorities. So, if you’re one of those people who has put it off until now, I encourage you to take the necessary steps to have your wishes documented.

Once you begin creating a will, I’d love for you to consider adding a gift to Nemours Children’s Health to support our mission of life-saving care and research for children and families who need us. Of the 46 percent of those who have a will, a much smaller percentage considers leaving a favorite charity in their plans. Much of the work we do is possible because of those types of planned gifts.

And, if you already have a will or trust and we are part of it, please let us know. Of course, I would love for you to become part of our 1936 legacy society and join us at an event, but more importantly, letting us know enables us to verify that the gift will be used the way you want and allows us to thank you properly during your lifetime.

Feel free to contact me anytime. I can be reached at clinton.travis@nemours.org or 904.697.4156

(continued from p. 11)

Sep 22-23 Sep

A Night at Nemours: Celebrating Excellence | Nemours Estate, Wilmington, Delaware Annual Gala, benefitting Behavioral Health Services

Help Our Kids Radiothon | Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware | Benefitting a variety of hospital-based programs such as Child Life, Creative Arts Therapy, Pet Therapy, Palliative Care and Pastoral Care.

Oct 08

A Night with Nemours: Marking Milestones & Celebrating 10 Years | Orlando, Florida

Annual Gala, benefitting the Cardiac Center and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida

Country Thunder Festival | Kissimmee, Florida | Benefitting Orthopedics at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida

23

Young Heroes 5K | Nemours Estate, Wilmington, Delaware | Run/walk benefitting Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders

A Round Fore the Kids | DuPont Country Club Wilmington, Delaware | Golf tournament and dinner benefitting Child and Family Services at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware