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Northern NY Community Foundation

Northern NY Community Foundation

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Wills

Q: What happens when a person dies without a valid will?
A: Their state’s laws of descent and distribution come into play.

Q: Aren’t state laws adequate for most situations?
A: No, because they’re impersonal. They don’t make exceptions. They may also deplete your estate unnecessarily, as certain fees and other expenses can be minimized or eliminated through a well-planned will.

Q: Why don’t more people have wills?
A: Because they don’t realize how important a will is. Some think they don’t own enough property to need one.

Q: Does joint ownership make a will unnecessary?
A: No. That’s a common misconception. Joint ownership may create unnecessary estate taxes and may result in the imposition of gift taxes. It may also deny you complete control over your property while you’re still living. Joint ownership is a poor substitute for a will but can often work well in conjunction with one.

Q: Can a will reduce estate taxes?
A: Yes. Through a well-planned will you can make a number of provisions that can reduce estate taxes.

Q: Should both husband and wife have wills?
A: Yes. It’s important that each have a will even when the two wills may be essentially the same. The wills should complement each other and take into account any special bequests to other family members.

Q: Do I need a will if my estate is small?
A: Yes. The smaller the estate, the more important that it be settled quickly as delays usually mean increased expenses.

Q: Can I write my own will without hiring an attorney?
A: You can, but It’s generally not advisable. Many homemade wills are declared invalid by the courts. There is no substitute for the professional expertise of a competent attorney.

Q: How much does it cost to have an attorney write my will?
A: That depends on how simple or complicated your plans are. Wills generally cost less than most people expect and undoubtedly less than the emotional and financial cost of not having one. Ask your attorney in advance about the fee.

Q: Once I have a will, should I ever have to change it?
A: You should review your will periodically, because even the best wills can become outdated. Changes may be needed if your marital or financial status changes or charitable interests change. If you have more children, if your executor/executrix or guardians can’t serve, or if you acquire property in another state, revisions may also be in order.

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation
2 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Congratulations to Kyle Moyer, the 2022 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Anna Mae Searles Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Kyle graduated in June from Belleville-Henderson High School in June and will attend SUNY Brockport to study exercise science. He aspires to work as a physical therapist.

Kyle is a National Honor Society member and an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing in varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. He is the son of Michelle and Jeromy Moyer, Mannsville.

Established in 2019 at the Community Foundation, the Anna Mae Searles Cooper Scholarship honors the life and legacy of longtime South Jefferson Central Schools teacher Anna Mae Searles Cooper. It is presented annually to a South Jefferson High School graduate who demonstrates exceptional motivation and potential.

Kyle recently met with scholarship founders Denny and Pamela Jerome and Anna Mae’s longtime dear friend, Sandra Haight, who presented him with a $1,000 scholarship award. Pictured, from left: Denny Jerome, Pamela Jerome, Kyle Moyer, and Sandra Haight.

We are honored to part of the special way that Anna Mae will be remembered as she continues to touch the lives of students in her community.

#NNYCF #Scholars #ClassOf2022
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Congratulations to Kyle Moyer, the 2022 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Anna Mae Searles Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Kyle graduated in June from Belleville-Henderson High School in June and will attend SUNY Brockport to study exercise science. He aspires to work as a physical therapist. 

Kyle is a National Honor Society member and an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing in varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. He is the son of Michelle and Jeromy Moyer, Mannsville.

Established in 2019 at the Community Foundation, the Anna Mae Searles Cooper Scholarship honors the life and legacy of longtime South Jefferson Central Schools teacher Anna Mae Searles Cooper. It is presented annually to a South Jefferson High School graduate who demonstrates exceptional motivation and potential.

Kyle recently met with scholarship founders Denny and Pamela Jerome and Anna Mae’s longtime dear friend, Sandra Haight, who presented him with a $1,000 scholarship award. Pictured, from left: Denny Jerome, Pamela Jerome, Kyle Moyer, and Sandra Haight.

We are honored to part of the special way that Anna Mae will be remembered as she continues to touch the lives of students in her community.

#NNYCF #Scholars #ClassOf2022
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Anna Mae would love seeing all the recipients of this scholarship. She was an amazing person!

Thank You for your generosity ❤️

Great teacher. She’s smiling on this

Congratulations

Thank you Anna Mae . Thank you Sandy .

Moyer Michelle

Pamela Jerome

Yes sir!

Awesome Michel Soluri Michel F. Soluri

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Northern New York Community Foundation
2 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Watch your mailboxes for our Summer 2022 issue of “Thoughtful Giving” that is now on its way to all our valued donors, partners, and Community Foundation friends!

We feature a wide range of stories in 32 pages about the work donors make possible to strengthen communities across Northern New York. We also pay special tribute to many incredible people who our community recently lost and whose legacies will live on in many special ways.

Donors like YOU support so much of our work that improves the quality of life across Northern New York for everyone.

Click here for a “sneak peek” of the issue: issuu.com/nnycf/docs/tg_summer_2022

#ThoughtfulGiving #ThoughtfulLegacies #NNYCF #Grateful
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Watch your mailboxes for our Summer 2022 issue of “Thoughtful Giving” that is now on its way to all our valued donors, partners, and Community Foundation friends!

We feature a wide range of stories in 32 pages about the work donors make possible to strengthen communities across Northern New York. We also pay special tribute to many incredible people who our community recently lost and whose legacies will live on in many special ways.

Donors like YOU support so much of our work that improves the quality of life across Northern New York for everyone.

Click here for a “sneak peek” of the issue: issuu.com/nnycf/docs/tg_summer_2022

#ThoughtfulGiving #ThoughtfulLegacies #NNYCF #Grateful
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Northern New York Community Foundation
3 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship!

Pictured, from left: North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee member Terry Williams; Advisory Committee member and past League president William Parody; North Side Legacy Scholarship recipient Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central graduate; scholarship recipient Martin J. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; scholarship recipient Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero-North Syracuse High School; and Advisory Committee member Terri Mallette. Absent from photo: scholarship recipient Loise A. Pador, Watertown High School.

Each of this year’s recipients have strong family ties to Watertown’s North Side Improvement League.

We are honored to be the permanent home for the North Side Improvement League to build upon its legacy of charitable work and support for college-bound students. Because of this endowment, the League’s civic deeds and community pride will forever continue.

#NNYCF #NSIL #Scholars #ClassOf2022
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Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship! 

Pictured, from left: North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee member Terry Williams; Advisory Committee member and past League president William Parody; North Side Legacy Scholarship recipient Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central graduate; scholarship recipient Martin J. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; scholarship recipient Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero-North Syracuse High School; and Advisory Committee member Terri Mallette. Absent from photo: scholarship recipient Loise A. Pador, Watertown High School.

Each of this year’s recipients have strong family ties to Watertown’s North Side Improvement League.

We are honored to be the permanent home for the North Side Improvement League to build upon its legacy of charitable work and support for college-bound students. Because of this endowment, the League’s civic deeds and community pride will forever continue.

#NNYCF #NSIL #Scholars #ClassOf2022
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So glad to see the North Side Improvement League is still touching the lives of our community. As a former volunteer with my grandparents and a descendent of a past president of the ladies auxiliary, I am proud of the organization!!!

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