David and Liz thought they were prepared. They had a Will and believed their estate and charitable wishes were secure. But after meeting with the Catholic Community Foundation, they realized their plan had gaps that could have left their legacy and their faith unprotected. From probate concerns to missed opportunities for lasting charitable impact, their story is a reminder that a Will is only the beginning, or simply is not enough.

David & Liz’s Story

David and Liz are a faithful couple who were introduced to the Catholic Community Foundation at an All Saints Catholic Church, “Get Your Affairs In Order Seminar” in late 2024. David and Liz wanted to be good stewards of their blessings and shared their plan with the Foundation. Years ago, they did what many people do—they created a Will. They believed this was enough to take care of their children, their parish, and the causes they loved.

But when they met with a Philanthropic Advisor at the Catholic Community Foundation, they learned their plan had some serious gaps.

“We felt relieved when we first signed our Will,” Liz recalled. “But after sitting down with the Foundation, we realized how many important things we had overlooked.”

Here are three major areas David and Liz discovered were missing from their estate plan:

1. The Probate Threshold

In Arizona, if an estate is valued above $75,000, it must go through probate court when a Will is the only tool in place.

For David and Liz, this meant:

• Their estate details would become public record.
• Anyone, including opportunists or distant relatives, could contest their wishes.
• Their children could face delays of 6–18 months before receiving assets.

“We didn’t like the idea of our personal finances becoming a free-for-all for anyone to see,” David admitted.

They realized that by relying solely on a Will, their family could face unnecessary costs, delays, and challenges.

2. A Missed Opportunity for Charitable Legacy

David and Liz had always supported their parish and Catholic ministries during their lifetimes, but their Will only included a few simple bequests.

What they didn’t know was that they could create a custom charitable plan, a Family-Named Fund at the Catholic Community Foundation.

This fund would:

• Gather all their charitable giving under one umbrella.
• Provide annual support for their parish and favorite ministries for generations, through an endowment.
• Include special instructions that their parish continue to pray for the repose of their souls until the end of time.

“The thought that our children and grandchildren could see our family name tied to faith and generosity, gave us peace of mind,” Liz said.

3. Other Missing Documents

David and Liz had assumed a Will was all they needed. But they hadn’t considered:

• Power of Attorney for financial matters
• Health Care Power of Attorney
• A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
• A funeral and burial plan

Without these, their family would be left making difficult decisions during a stressful time.

“We didn’t want our kids to be burdened with guessing what we would have wanted,” David reflected.

Beyond David and Liz’s Story: Other Considerations

Many families stop at a Will, but this can leave their legacy, and their loved ones, at risk. Common oversights include:

• Failing to protect privacy by avoiding probate.
• Not addressing how charitable gifts should be managed long-term.
• Forgetting to plan for health, financial, and end-of-life decisions.
• Believing one “template” fits all, when in truth, every family’s plan is unique.

Honoring Your Faith and Legacy

At the Catholic Community Foundation, we believe your estate plan should do more than distribute assets; it should reflect your values, protect your loved ones, and honor your faith.

For David and Liz, meeting with the Foundation meant transforming a basic Will into a comprehensive plan that provided for their family and ensured their Catholic legacy would endure.

“We realized a Will wasn’t the end, it was just the beginning,” Liz said.

No two plans are the same. Our Philanthropic Advisors are here to help you think beyond the basics, safeguard your legacy, and create a faith-filled plan tailored to your family.

“The Catholic Community Foundation’s approach to working through our wishes was not what we had expected. It was like talking with family around the dinner table. They truly made our desires the heart of the conversation, with no strings attached,” David said.

Ready to review your plan?

Contact the Catholic Community Foundation today to schedule a confidential conversation. Together, we’ll ensure your wishes are honored and your Catholic legacy endures for generations to come. 480-641-8803.