Every one of us spends a lifetime building something, a family, a career, a community, values we hope will outlive us. Yet many of us never take the final step of deciding how that legacy will continue.
Surprisingly, more than half of Americans don't have a will, arguably the most important document in an estate plan.
The consequences are serious. Without a will, a probate court decides how to distribute your assets. Judges do their best to follow state laws, but your actual wishes remain a mystery. Without one, state law—not you—determines how your assets are distributed. While those laws provide a default plan, they cannot reflect your unique wishes, your family circumstances, or the causes that have shaped your life. For those who care deeply about giving back, it may also mean that the organizations and communities they have spent a lifetime supporting are unintentionally left out of their legacy.
At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we believe your legacy should reflect your values and vision for the future. That's why, during Make-A-Will Month, we encourage you to take the first step in shaping a future that reflects your wishes and strengthens the causes you hold close.
At TPF, we hear it in almost every donor conversation.
"It's on my list," people say.
"I really need to get to it."
Life gets busy, and a task with no deadline has a way of staying on the list year after year. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. This may be the year you finally check that box. And we're here to make that process easier, whatever "it" looks like for you.
For many donors, a will is just the beginning. Estate planning can include beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of appreciated securities, or establishing a charitable fund. Whatever form it takes, the goal is the same: ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your generosity continues to make an impact for generations to come.
One donor who approached her legacy with that kind of intentionality was Neriman Nuraltay.
Neriman arrived in Türkiye from Romania in the 1950s with very little. Together with her husband, İlhan, she built a life through perseverance, eventually immigrating to the United States while maintaining a lifelong connection to Türkiye. When planning her estate, she chose to support five organizations working in education, healthcare, and social services—causes that reflected both her personal journey and the values she carried throughout her life.
Her story reminds us that estate planning isn't simply about transferring assets. It's about preserving the values that define us.
Yet despite its importance, many people delay estate planning because of common misconceptions.
Common Myths About Estate Planning
Myth #1: I'm too young. You can create a will at 18. As soon as you have property, children, or valuable belongings, a will protects your wishes and your loved ones.
Myth #2: I don't have an estate. An estate isn't defined by size—it's anything you own, from a savings account to a family home. If you have assets, you have an estate, and a plan for it.
Myth #3: It's too complicated. A basic will can often be created in an afternoon with free or low-cost tools. For more complex plans, TPF's Director of Philanthropy can walk you through your options—at no cost.
Myth #4: All I need is a will. Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, not your will. Donors making a larger impact often pair a bequest with a gift annuity or trust.
Myth #5: My family knows my charitable wishes. Good intentions aren't a legal plan. Without documentation, decisions default to your heirs—who may have different priorities.
Taking the First Step
This August, we invite you to take this important step. Whether your estate is large or small, and whether your plans are simple or complex, your legacy can be a force for lasting change.
If estate planning has been on your list for a while now, consider this your nudge. You don't have to figure it all out today—just take one step. Whether your goal is to provide for your family, support your community, or leave a lasting philanthropic legacy, taking one small step today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.
At TPF, we believe every legacy is unique, and we work alongside donors and their professional advisors to explore charitable giving options that align with their values. Whether you're considering a bequest in your will, naming TPF as a beneficiary, establishing a charitable fund, or simply beginning the conversation, we're here to help. That's why we offer personalized guidance—including the opportunity to meet in person with our Director of Philanthropy, Pinar Ozyurek at [email protected] to talk through your options.
We also invite you to join the TPF Legacy Society, honoring donors who have included TPF in their will, trust, or other planned gift. Members join a community of like-minded donors committed to ensuring their values live on for generations to come.
This Make-A-Will Month, if estate planning has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your invitation to take the first step. Because your legacy isn't simply what you leave behind, it's what you choose to carry forward.