By Shaunna Graf
Why Making a Will Matters: A Gift to the People and Places You Love
When most people hear the words estate planning, they picture stacks of paperwork, legal jargon, and decisions they would rather put off until another day. At Bernheim, we understand the temptation to wait. After all, there is always another trail to explore, another season to enjoy, and another item on the to-do list that feels more urgent.
But creating a will is not really about the end of life. It is about caring for the people and places that matter most while you are living.
A Will Is a Final Act of Stewardship
Stewardship is at the heart of everything we do at Bernheim. We care for forests, wildlife, water, and landscapes so that future generations can enjoy them long after we are gone.
A will is stewardship on a personal level. It is an opportunity to thoughtfully decide how your assets, belongings, and treasured possessions will be distributed. More importantly, it can provide clarity and guidance for loved ones during a difficult time.
Without a will, many important decisions may be left to state laws and court processes. By documenting your wishes, you help reduce uncertainty and make things easier for family members and friends who may already be navigating grief.
It’s About More Than Money
One of the biggest misconceptions about wills is that they are only for people with significant wealth. In reality, many of the most meaningful things we leave behind are not measured in dollars.
A handwritten recipe card, a collection of family photographs, grandmother’s quilt, a favorite piece of jewelry, a fishing rod, a pocketknife or a book with notes in the margins. These items often carry stories, memories, and connections that cannot be replaced.
As someone in a blended family, I discovered just how important these conversations can be. When I started exploring wills, trusts, and estate planning, I quickly realized there were more options and decisions than I had expected. The process felt overwhelming at first.
I am still working through some of those decisions, but one thing I have started doing is documenting the personal property that matters in my home. I am writing down not only what items exist, but also the stories behind them. My hope is that one day my children will understand both the sentimental value and the tangible value of those belongings.
Sometimes the story attached to an item is the most valuable inheritance of all.
Planning Brings Peace of Mind
Creating a will does not mean you have everything figured out. It means you have started.
Many people delay planning because they think they need all the answers before taking the first step. The reality is that a will can evolve as your life changes. Marriage, children, grandchildren, new assets, moves, and changing priorities can all lead to updates over time.
What matters most is creating a foundation. Having a plan in place often brings peace of mind because you know your wishes have been documented and your loved ones have guidance to follow.
Every Legacy Has a Story
At Bernheim, we are reminded every day that legacies grow over time. The trees surrounding us today were planted by people who believed in the future. They may never have imagined all the visitors, families, students, researchers, and wildlife that would benefit from their decisions.
Our personal legacies work the same way. A will is one way to tell future generations what mattered to you, who you cared about, and how you hoped to make a difference. Whether your legacy includes caring for family, preserving family heirlooms, supporting a favorite nonprofit, or protecting the causes you love, creating a will helps ensure your story continues to be told.
Your Values Can Live On
For many people, a will is about caring for family and friends. For others, it is also an opportunity to support the causes and communities that have shaped their lives.
Planned gifts allow individuals to leave a lasting legacy by including charitable organizations in their estate plans. Whether large or small, these gifts help ensure that the places and missions people care about continue to thrive for generations to come.
At Bernheim, planned gifts have supported conservation, education, research, and the experiences that connect people with nature. Among the most impactful types of planned giving are unrestricted gifts. While designated gifts support specific programs or projects, unrestricted planned gifts provide flexibility, allowing Bernheim to respond to the greatest needs and opportunities of the moment.
Just as forests evolve over time, so do the needs of the communities we serve. An unrestricted planned gift empowers Bernheim’s future leaders to address challenges and opportunities that may not even exist today. Whether that means protecting important habitats, expanding environmental education, enhancing visitor experiences, investing in new research, or creating innovative ways for people to connect with nature, unrestricted gifts provide the adaptability needed to make the greatest impact.
When someone includes Bernheim in their estate plans, they are planting a seed that can continue to grow for generations. Their legacy helps ensure that future visitors can find inspiration on a forest trail, wonder beneath a towering canopy, or discover a lifelong connection to the natural world.
When choosing to leave a planned gift in your will to Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, here is some information you will need:
Legal Name: Isaac W. Bernheim Foundation
Address:
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
2499 Clermont Road
Hwy 245
Clermont, KY 40110
Bequest Language:
I bequeath to the Isaac W. Bernheim Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with tax identification number 61-0444651, (written amount or percentage of estate) to be used for (unrestricted purposes or restricted for a particular program or area of the Arboretum and/or Forest).
If Bernheim is in your estate plans, please let us know. Bernheim would love to add you to our Echo Society and ensure we are able to fulfill any specific designations you wish to apply to your gift. Contact the Advancement team via email at advancement@bernheim.org or call (502) 955-8512.
Start Where You Are
If you have been putting off estate planning, you are not alone. The good news is that getting started does not require having all the answers. It simply requires taking the first step.
Gather information. Ask questions. Learn about your options. Talk with trusted professionals and family members. Like planting a tree, the best time to begin may be sooner than you think.
Because a will is not just a legal document. It is a gift of clarity, care, and compassion for the people who matter most. It is also an opportunity to leave a lasting reflection of your values and support the people, places, and causes that have enriched your life.
And much like the forests we steward at Bernheim, the legacy you create today can continue growing long into the future.
